Good potential for seawater applications
A new study demonstrates laboratory and field-testing of six siloxane-based coatings to be potentially used as a topcoat paint on structured steel.
The coatings were prepared with acrylate monomers of six chain lengths, from methyl to dodecyl. Coated steel samples were immersed in seawater and freshwater for up to five months to test their properties. The coated samples were tested for possible leaching when exposed to accelerated harsh environmental conditions. The leachate toxicity was examined against microalgae Desmodesmus subspicatus and microcrustacean Daphnia magna.
The ethyl and butyl methacrylate coatings provided the best protective properties compared to those with longer chain lengths. The synthesised coatings show less toxicity than commercial biocide-containing coatings. The developed coatings represent a good starting point for an additional upgrade in the system for offshore or similar applications.
The study has been published in Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 20, issue 2, March 2023.
