Using hydrodynamic testing to assess the performance of fouling control coatings

Static immersion studies are commonly used to assess the performance of fouling control coatings. While these tests provide valuable data, it is also of importance to understand the drag forces associated with the accrued fouling communities and the velocities required for fouling removal. Replicates of five commercially available coatings were deployed at two test sites located along the east coast of Florida. After four months of immersion, the coatings were subjected to known water velocities in a high-speed boat modified for hydrodynamic testing. Hard fouling adhesion measurements were taken to determine the attachment strength of organisms which remained on the panels. The type and extant of fouling varied based on static immersion location, this in turn influenced the fouling removal and the associated drag. While fouling removal was observed on all coatings, the percent removal was related to the coating type and the overall community structure. Those organisms which have a higher profile were easily removed. Lower form foulers, especially those with hard structures, had a minimum removal even at some of the top speeds. The data collected from this series of tests, enabled the fouling control and fouling release properties of each coating to be characterized. •Five fouling control coatings were subjected to static immersion, hard fouling adhesion, and hydrodynamic testing to evaluate the performance.•Hydrodynamic testing was conducted via a facility built into the aft section of Chris Craft Commander power boat which measured frictional drag and fouling removal.•Results demonstrated that the variation in fouling communities influenced the frictional drag, the fouling removal, and the overall performance of the coating.