Formulation and antifouling activity of marine paints: a study by a statistically based experiments plan

To produce the new generation of protective marine paints with reduced amount of biocides, it is necessary to understand the phenomenon of the antifouling activity. It would require to define all the mechanisms which are involved (diffusion of water and biocides in the matrix, hydrolytic degradation of the matrix), the resulting properties (erosion, presence of biocides), the influential factors (formulation, nature of the binder) and the links between factors and properties, which is totally unrealisable. In a first step, the antifouling activity is tackled by considering only three selected properties which are essential for the consumers: the toughness, the erosion and the release of biocides. A statistically based experiments plan is established in order to progress systematically in the study of the properties of antifouling paints and to define the influential factors on antifouling activity. The obtained results enabled us to exhibit two discriminating factors: the nature of the binder and the biocide. The amount of released biocides is largely inferior to the lethal doses for bacteria. These results lead to ask new questions about the antifouling activity and to produce efficient paints with restricted amounts of biocides. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.