New
biocide-free non-stick technology “Made in Germany”
HANSA-AQUAPROTECT;
new marine non-stick coating free of biocides and silicones
In
order to protect ships or offshore constructions against marine growth, biocide containing
antifoulings have been used up to now. Considering that environmental constraints continue to tighten (i.e. IMO-conventian, EU Biocides
Directive) it is not clear, how long the use of antifouling agents like
copper oxides and supporting biocides is still permitted. Alternatively,
silicone-based non-stick coatings are used for special applications
instead. The recently launched marine non-stick coating HANSA-Aquaprotect,
however, is free of biocides and silicones. It provides users with a
considerably extended application spectrum as regards surface preparation
being normally carried out in shipyards. New
technology bundling various advantages
In
collaboration with a German research laboratory the company HSF Hansa
Schiffsfarben GmbH from Hamburg succeeded in bundling various advantages
into one product. Besides being free af biocides and silicones,
HANSA-Aquapratect offers - contrary to silicone-based products - protection against marine growth
foar vessels running also at low speeds.
Reason for this: Self-cleaning of underwater surfaces already takes place
at lower speeds exceeding 5 kn. Further advantage: HANSA-Aquaprotect
allows an easy application. Without prior blasting and without pollutian
of surrounding areas by silicones, old self-polishing or longlife-antifoulings can be easily overcoated. Being free
of metal
compounds, HANSA-Aquaprotect is suitable for every material used in
ship-building (even aluminium). Effective
eco- friendly product profile
The
elaborated mix of binders, special ceramic fillers as well as herbal
solvents produces a very tight hydrophobic coating having a low surface
friction and a specific smoothness. This special surface quality is
achieved by ideal package and quality of the ceramic fillers and by drying
controlled through herbal solvents. It is really interesting, that the
optically visible surface smoothness is absolutely unimportant for the
effectiveness of HANSA-Aquaprotect. There are rather optically hidden
elements being the base for this specific smoothness, as for example the
coating surface almost free from pores as well as the micro smoothness in
the fieid of the grain sizes of the fillers. Therefore, welding seams,
repair spots, etc. have no negative bearing on the effectiveness of
HANSA-Aquaprotect. This new technology allows an eco-friendly product
profile. Neither active agents nor binder residues are emitted into the
environment. Thus, according to the definition of the Bundesanstalt für
Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (German federal institute for
Occupational Safety and Health) HANSA-Aquaprotect is no biocidal product
in terms of directive 98/8/EG. Primary
slime cannot attach
In
the beginning a primary slime film settles on surfaces treated with
HANSA-Aquaprotect, especially in case of longer mooring periods. This
slime, however, cannot tightly stick to the surface because of its
specific smoothness. Underwater surfaces are already cleaned by run of the
vessel at lower speeds exceeding 5 kn. This also applies to fouling (algae,
bamacles) originating from longer mooring periods. In case of fixed
installed facilities like sheet pilings, locks or offshore-constructions,
self-cleaning is achieved by natural streaming or, in areas with lower
streaming of water, by automatic detachment due to increasing weight of
the biomass. For
further details, please contact HSF Hansa Schiffsfarben GmbH
Posted July 2005 |
+ Media Sponsors +
Wilhelm
Sicking |
||
Left:
Convincing
result of innumerable tests: HANSA-Aquaprotect offers a new
eco-friendly non-stick technology free of biocides and silicones
enabling ship owners to effectively protect their ships against
marine growth.
