title: Polyurethane seismic streamer skins: an application of cold spray metal embedment.
abstract: Cold spray metal embedment is an innovative antifouling (AF) technology that delivers metal particles with AF properties into many thermoplastic polymers. AF efficacy was quantified for low (22.1 ± 4.8 g m(-2)) and high (101.1 ± 10.8 g m(-2)) densities of copper particles embedded into polyurethane (PU) seismic streamer skins, which are used in geophysical exploration. Failure of each Cu-embedded treatment was defined as settlement of hard foulers. Low-density streamers failed after 42 days while high-density streamers failed after 210 days. Most importantly, the high-density streamers were completely free of hard foulers including the barnacle Amphibalanus reticulatus during this time period. In conclusion, cold-spray metal embedment is an effective AF technology for PU seismic streamer skins, under intense fouling conditions. Higher copper particle densities enhance AF longevity and the effect of density provides a tool to extend efficacy and enhance AF performance for specific polymers.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. matthew.vucko@my.jcu.edu.au
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Vucko
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.forename: M Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Jahedi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Nys
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002013:Bryozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007448:Invertebrates; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D011077:Polychaeta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013499:Surface Properties; D001468:Thoracica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors; D044445:Ulva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011140:Polyurethanes; D003300:Copper