Antifouling coatings - TBT- alternatives

The Expert's View: "Jan 12, 2005"

experts view by Sandy Morrison

"Any object left in seawater for some time falls victim to marine fouling - the attachment of algae (seaweeds) and various small marine animals. This can have serious operational and economic consequences - reduced speed and increased fuel consumption for ships, accelerated corrosion and increased risk of storm damage on fixed structures.

For a while, it seemed as though the coatings industry had found the perfect answer to almost every fouling problem: self-polishing coatings which gave a controlled release of the toxin tributyltin (TBT). But TBT has been a victim of its own success:...."

key points

the alternative use of copper containing coatings requires replacement too

"Whales, dolphins and other marine mammals live for decades with little fouling growth on their skins, and release no toxic biocides."

see also Technology update: Antifouling coatings