The effect of different antifouling paints on biocide release rate and mechanical properties

Abstract This study comprehensively assesses the release rate of biocides, corrosion effects related to antifouling, and the physical properties of different paint types. Tests were conducted to measure thickness, viscosity, hardness, bending, adhesion, gloss, impact resistance, abrasion resistance, scratch resistance, polarization, and salt spray. The paints evaluated include resin-based, acrylic-based, epoxy-based, and vinyl-based formulations. The study investigates the influence of biocide content, biocide particle size, and immersion time on the release rate using a lab-scale setup. Results showed that acrylic-based paints had a higher biocide release rate due to faster hydrolysis, while smaller biocide particle sizes led to higher release rates in resin-based paints. Optimal total biocide contents were determined as 30% for acrylic-based, 60% for epoxy-based, and 50% for vinyl-based paints. Antifouling corrosion analysis demonstrated that the sample with the optimal release rate effectively prevents algae growth and fouling. Acrylic-based paint with 30 wt% biocide content exhibited superior adhesion with a dolly separation force of 4.12 MPa. Evaluating the impact of synthesized polyaniline on 30 wt% epoxy-based paint, a sample coated with 10 wt% polyaniline represented a low corrosion rate of 0.35 µm/year and a high impedance value of approximately 37000 Ohm.cm-2.