Resistance to marine fouling of elastomeric coatings of some poly(dimethylsiloxanes) and poly(dimethyldiphenylsiloxanes)

Abstract

Abstract The resistance to marine fouling of some room-temperature-vulcanising silicone elastomers, some of which were modified by the addition of silicone oil, has been assessed in exposure trials, and their surface energies have been compared by measurement of contact angles with water. Of the unmodified elastomers, a poly(dimethyldiphenylsiloxane) was found to have the most hydrophobic surface (contact angle 123°), and also showed by far the best resistance to fouling. All other poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers were slightly less hydrophobic (112–120°), but their antifouling performance was little better than that of neoprene (82°). Addition of a low-viscosity poly(dimethylsiloxane) oil to the poly(dimethyldiphenylsiloxane) elastomer reduced the contact angle but improved the antifouling performance, apparently by formation of a surface film. Good antifouling performance was also shown by an elastomer of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) modified with a low-viscosity poly(methylphenylsiloxane) oil.