Fouling Release Coating Edge Sealant for Underwater Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fouling release coating systems for underwater structures face challenges in aligning multi-layer foils on contoured surfaces and preventing gaps between adjacent foils, leading to breaches in antifouling protection due to their low friction coefficient properties.
Innovation Solution
A coating system comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive foil with a fouling release coating and an edge sealant fouling release coating composition applied to the edges of the foil, ensuring secure adhesion and preventing fouling organism adherence by using a multilayered structure with specific adhesive and silicone layers, and a reactive silicone polymer-based edge sealant to seal gaps between foils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-layer foils are used for fouling release coating, then adhesion and fouling release properties are improved, but alignment difficulty and gap formation increase on contoured surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The coating system is divided into discrete foil segments that can be independently applied to contoured surfaces. Each foil is a self-contained unit with adhesive properties, allowing flexible positioning and alignment on complex geometries without requiring continuous coating material.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer serves as an intermediary between the foil and the substrate, enabling secure bonding while accommodating surface irregularities. The adhesive mediates the interaction between the rigid foil structure and the contoured surface, allowing alignment tolerance.
2Reliability
If low friction coefficient is used for fouling release, then fouling organism adhesion is reduced, but gap sealing between adjacent foils becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the coating system have different friction properties. The outer surface maintains low friction for fouling release, while the edge regions incorporate sealant material with higher friction and adhesive properties for secure bonding and gap sealing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between slipperiness and sealability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite construction with multiple layers having different properties. The base foil provides fouling release characteristics, while edge sealants with different rheological and adhesive properties are applied at boundaries. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of low-friction surface and secure edge sealing.
3Productivity
If self-adhesive foil is applied in single step, then application speed is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates on contoured surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The application process is made dynamic and adaptable to surface geometry. The pressure-sensitive adhesive allows the foil to conform dynamically to contoured surfaces during application, enabling quick positioning without sacrificing alignment. The material's viscoelastic properties allow it to flow and adapt to surface irregularities rapidly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced adhesion and fouling release properties, ensuring continuous antifouling protection and reducing operational costs by preventing fouling organisms from adhering to underwater structures, thus maintaining optimal performance and maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensitive adhesive foil adhered to the underwater structure
Implementation Method 2
the surfaces of the coatings have low surface energy and low elastic modulus, preventing and/or reducing the adhesion of fouling organisms
Implementation Method 3
a reactive silicone polymer-based edge sealant to seal gaps between foils
Data Source
AI summary
A fouling release coating system comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive foil comprising a fouling release coating and an edge sealant fouling release coating composition operable to be applied to an edge of the pressure sensitive adhesive foil. The invention also extends to an underwater structure having said fouling release coating system on at least a portion thereof and a method of application of the fouling release coating system.