SOME EVALUATION RESULTS OF PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND ANTIFOULING OF EPOXY PAINT USING NANOCOMPOSITE Cu/SiO2

Abstract

For the maritime industry, the damage from large plaques on the hulls of ships as well as structures at sea is enormous. Growth of fouling on a hull’s surface increases the resistance of sea water to the ship, reduces the maneuverability and performance of the ship. This paper examined the influence of Cu/SiO₂ nanoparticles on physico-mechanical properties and antifouling of epoxy paint which combined epoxy resin YD-128 and hardener G-5022 with additive of nanocomposite Cu/SiO₂. The physico- mechanical properties and anticorrosion test of epoxy coating are determined according to Vietnam standards, antifouling test of coating is carried out according to ASTM D3623-78a. The survey results showwed that, the epoxy coating with additive of 1.0% Cu/SiO₂ nanoparticles, adhesion increased by 14.57%, impact resistance increased by 9.09%, hardness of epoxy coating increased by 9.69%, abrasion resistance decreased by 20.0%, the degree of rusting reached S0 after 30 cycles of salt fog testing. After 6 months of natural testing in the marine environment, the biofouling classification is assessed at level 4.