Aluminum-Silicate-Based Antifouling Coating
EPA Contract Number: 68D00272Title: Aluminum-Silicate-Based Antifouling Coating
Investigators: Walsh, M. Alex
Small Business: E Paint Company
EPA Contact: Manager, SBIR Program
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 2000 through September 1, 2002
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2000) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
A waterborne coating is proposed which promises to significantly advance the state-of-the-art of nontoxic antibiofouling coatings. A novel antibiofouling coating was discovered during the Phase I research. This coating resulted from advances in aluminate chemistry. Using benign components, an ablative coating was formulated, coated onto panels, and tested for 90 days in Florida ocean water. The fouling resistance ratings of most of the aluminate-polymer containing coatings actually improved with time. These results demonstrated the feasibility of antibiofouling coatings that are nontoxic and simultaneously superior to the industry standard (silicone coatings) in many ways. They are harder, cheaper, and much easier to apply. A major environmental advantage is that they are waterborne.Potential commercial markets for this technology include the billion dollar antifouling paint and the much smaller, but environmentally important, zebra mussel control market.