EDA Project.B0001-GEM1-ERG and B0945-GEM1-ERG
The pressure of environment regulations has reached to ban tin containing antifouling coatings, which could have fulfilled the objectives of dry-docking intervals previously mentioned.
In addition, other metallic compounds are considered to be regulated in a near future such as copper base products well known to-day as antifouling components.
New tin free self polishing / ablative antifoulings have been commercialised by the paint industry. Good performances are claimed on commercial ships. Obviously, it is not the statement made on navy ships without periodical underwater cleanings. A maximum of 3 years efficiency was noticed.
The probable explanation of that difference of behaviour could come from the operational use of navy ships which are more and less 50% in static and 50% in dynamic conditions with possible long periods in static conditions. Such specific military requirements are much more severe than for commercial ships from the fouling point of view.
Two main items are to be dealt with:
– evaluation of paint formulations and industrial paints (environment friendly antifoulings having an efficiency in the range of 6-10 years),
– development by laboratories of testing methodologies being able to assess new products in a short period (< 1 year) representative of long time in-service conditions of navy ships.
The work is focused on Self-Polishing Copolymer (SPCs) coatings and an information exchange with NL extending the work to include Foul-Release Coatings (FRCs).
Blache Yves, Briand Jean-François, Culioli Gérald, Guentas-Dombrowsky Linda, Marceaux Sandra, Marchisio Valérie, Margaillan André, Martin Claire, Molmeret Maëlle, Ortalo-Magné Annick, Tanguy Brigitte
Jean-Pierre Pautasso (DGA)
Lionel Morvan (DGA techniques navales)
Laurent Dobigny (DGA ingénierie de projets)
Richard Jones & Keith Stokes
Hans Bakuwel
Philippe Le Calvé
Job Klijnstra
Pr. Robert Wood (National Centre for Advanced Tribology (nCATS))