Evaluation of adhesion and fouling-release properties of non-toxic fouling-release coatings applied to oil boom materials

Oil booms are used in the containment of oil leaking from ships moored in harbors around the world. However, marine biofouling quickly accumulates on these materials. The application of coatings offers a potential solution by preventing the growth of these organisms, but issues with adhesion of coatings to the oil boom materials remain a large barrier to success. This work is focused on testing the adhesion of marine coatings systems to oil boom fabrics after use of surface treatments or adhesion promoters. Surface analysis of fabrics showed a large variation in surface energy, contributing to the adhesion of coatings to these substrates. A laboratory water-jet adhesion-screening test identified several combinations of surface treatments and adhesion promoters that improved adhesion of coatings to various oil boom substrates. Large-scale field-testing of these candidates displayed improved cleanability, which translated into an increase in service life for coated oil boom fabrics.