PROTECTIVE COATINGS FOR UNDERWATER APPLICATIONS

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW PAINT WHICH IS EASILY APPLIED TO UNDERWATER STRUCTURES, AND OFFERS LONG TERM CORROSION PROTECTION. THE PROPOSED PROGRAM OF PHASE I WILL WILL IDENTIFY POLYMERS WHICH WILL BE EVALUATED FOR APPLICATION AS AN UNDERWATER CORROSION PROTECTIVE COATING. THE POLYMERIC MATERIALS IDENTIFIED WILL INCLUDE SUCH TRADITIONAL UNDERWATER PROTECTIVE COATING MATERIALS AS EPOXY RESINS, AND NONTRADITIONAL COATINGS APPLIED UNDERWATER SUCH AS PHENOXIES, POLYESTERS, AND NYLONS. THESE COATINGS WILL BE APPLIED TO STEEL SURFACES IMMERSED IN BOTH FRESH AND SALT WATER TANKS. DURING AND AFTER APPLICATION, THE POLYMERIC MATERIALS WILL BE EVALUATED FOR THEIR KEY PROPERTIES NECESSARY FOR AN EASILY APPLIED PROTECTIVE COATING. THE BEST CANDIDATES WILL BE BLENDED WITH CORROSION INHIBITIVE PIGMENTS. THESE COATING BLENDS WILL BE RE-EVALUATED FOR THEIR EASE OF APPLICATION AND FOR LONG TERM CORROSION PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES. SAMPLES OF THE BEST COATING MATERIALS WILL BE PREPARED FOR CERL-PP INDEPENDENT EVALUATION.