Principles for selecting antifouling coatings and assessing the effectiveness of biocides

Abstract

This article studies the causes of biofouling and methods to combat it. The problem under consideration is relevant to the development and operation of marine structures (ship hulls, underwater vehicles). Fouling leads to increased corrosion rates and degraded tactical and technical characteristics—an increase in mass, a decrease in speed, etc. The review examines the process of fouling of structures during prolonged exposure to seawater and presents a brief chronology of the development of antifouling coatings—from the earliest mentions to modern methods of combating biocenosis. The main types of antifouling coatings currently in use are identified: diffusion, contact, self-polishing, and non-biocidal. The fundamental mechanism of their operation is analyzed, and the criteria affecting the effectiveness of different coating types, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, are determined. Specific brands of domestic and foreign coatings are listed, along with their characteristics and operating conditions. Based on the analysis, the main areas of application for different types of antifouling coatings have been identified, the key factors determining their selection have been indicated, as well as the requirements for modern antifouling coatings being developed—a long service life (at least 5 years) and prolonged exposure to open air (at least 1 year).