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Article: New coatings could mean savings for the marine industry.(Coatings Xperience)
- Article from:
- JCT CoatingsTech
- Article date:
- August 1, 2008
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Rising fuel costs are affecting everyone these days, and the marine industry is no exception. Plus, the industry is also faced with the implementation of regulations eliminating the use of triorganotin compounds that are used to prevent the fouling of ships hulls by barnacles, seaweed, and bacteria. Fouling of hulls significantly increases the turbulence around a ship, resulting in an increase in fuel consumption by as much as 30%. It also contributes to higher maintenance costs. Copper compounds, which have become an alternative to tin-based actives, are also under scrutiny and are finding their use restricted as well.
All hope is not lost, however. Researchers ...