Study of two Anti-Biofouling Strategies for Marine Applications

Marine biofouling is an age-old problem - as long as mankind has used the sea with his artificial structures for transportation and can be defined as “the undesirable phenomenon of adherence and accumulation of biotic deposits on a submerged artificial surface or in contact with seawater”1-2. Biofouling accelerates the process of corrosion of affected materials (microbiological corrosion) and causes performance loss with damages taking place on both movable and stationary structures (1). Its consequences can be categorised into, environmental, ecological and economic. Mitigation strategies include, (i) modifying the exposed material surface and/or (ii) applying a technology to the exposed material surface. This study investigated, (1) surface modification using a commercially available carbon dioxide (CO2) laser engraving system, capable of etching bespoke micro-scale topography onto a material - the principle being that the modified surface is rendered less hydrophilic and less ‘favourable’ for sustained adhesion and growth from biofouling organisms and, (2) commercially available technology-based approach using ultrasound (US) waves - the principle being that continual wave exposure of a pre-set wave pattern and magnitude disrupts the capability of biofouling organisms to adhere to the exposed material. Both studies were performed on carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) – its lightweighting property makes it a ‘go-to’ material for use in more environmentally friendly marine vehicles. Analyses to include physico-chemcial, mechanical, thermal and biological methods.