Quote:
Originally Posted by SV DestinyAscen
|
I couldn't find any explanation of how the film impedes fouling, but I did find Renolit's patent. The claims are in
English, but the rest is in German. Here are the claims:
Claims:
1. Use of a film from thermoplastic plastic having an elongation at break in the range from 100 to 200 %, a 2% modulus in the range from 15 to 25 N/15 mm as well as a stretching force in the range from 25 to 40 N/15 mm (all measured according to DIN EN ISO 527-3/2/200), for coating
parts that are in contact with sea
water to provide protection from fouling characterized in that the film has a groove structure formed by ribs, wherein a
rib has a width (b) from 1 to 15 µm and a height (h) from 20 to 40 µm, the distance (a) of adjacent ribs is from 40 to 80 µm, and the opening angle (w) of the
rib flanks is from 30 to 45°.
2. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoplastic plastic is polyvinyl chloride, optionally with the addition of common additives.
3. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoplastic plastic is polyvinyl chloride or a mixture of polyvinyl chloride and ethylene vinyl acetate, optionally with the addition of common additives.
4. The use according to claim 1, characterized in that the film is a multilayer film, preferably based on polyvinyl chloride or a mixture of polyvinyl chloride and ethylene vinyl acetate having a top layer of polyvinylidene fluoride or acrylate / polyvinylidene fluoride.
5. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the width (b) of a rib is from 3 to 8 µm, in particular about 5 µm.
6. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the height (h) is about 30 µm.
7. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distance (a) of adjacent ribs, measured from center to center, is from 50 to 70 µm, and more preferably about 60 µm.
8. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the opening angle (w) of the rib flanks is 30° or 45°.
9. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the thickness is in the range from 100 µm to 300 µm, in particular from 150 µm to 200 µm.
10. The use according to any of claims 1 to 9, for the coating of ships or
offshore facilities for
oil or gas production or
wind energy generation.
11. A method for the protection of
parts that are in contact with sea water, characterized in that a film is used according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, which is applied to the part, preferably glued onto it.
Maybe these micro-grooves prevent organisms from attaching?
Here's a link to the patent, if anyone can read the German.
ANTIFOULING FILM - Renolit, SE