A fracture mechanical analysis of fouling release from nontoxic antifouling coatings

摘要: The successor to toxic antifouling coatings has been pursued for many years. Attempts to create perfectly nonfouling surfaces from polymers containing fluorine and silicone have been made, but marine fouling adheres to all surfaces yet investigated. The focus of our efforts has shifted from the coating surface to the joint between a fouling organism and a coating. We are studying methods to facilitate the fracture of this joint by controlling the chemical and mechanical properties of the polymer. This paper focuses on the fracture …