Characterisation and performance evaluation of marine coatings used for submerged ocean energy application

Marine coating application is undeniably necessary in order to protect the ocean energy structures from the corrosive environment. To investigate the performance of the coatings, a variety of evaluation techniques such as pull-off (adhesion) test, impact test, falling sand abrasion test, and micrographic characterisations were conducted on the three types of marine coatings: Polyamine epoxy, fluoropolymer, and acrylic binder-based antifouling. The fluoropolymer coating showed the most impermeable features on its micrography compared to the other two coatings. Also, the fluoropolymer coating demonstrated the highest values of abrasion resistances of about 6122.45 L/mils and impact resistances of about 0.12 kgm. In addition, fluoropolymer and polyamine epoxy coatings exhibited good behaviour in adhesion properties. Therefore, the higher coating performances of fluoropolymer coating over polyamine epoxy and acrylic binder-based antifouling may provide an excellent barrier layer and thus contribute more dependable corrosion protection in an immersed marine environment.