SURFACE TREATMENT

• US 20130236696A1
• Filed: 07/15/2011
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Cook University (Australian Institute of Marine Science James Cook University), Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (Commonwealth Of Australia As Represented By Department Of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research And Tertiary Education)
• Original Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (Commonwealth Of Australia As Represented By Department Of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research And Tertiary Education)
• Inventors: Gulizia, Stefan, Poole, Andrew James, De Nys, Rocky, King, Peter, Jahedi, Mahnaz
• Granted Patent: US 10,245,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/148
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/12 Applying particulate materials B05D1/06, B05D1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/20 comprising aluminium or copper B32B15/016 and B32B15/017 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/04 as impregnant, bonding, or embedding substance not used
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/046 Forming abrasion-resistant coatings; Forming surface-hardening coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/06 with compositions not containing macromolecular substances
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2003/085 Copper
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2003/0893 Zinc
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/015 Biocides macromolecular substances as carriers for biocide material A01N25/10
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/0058 Biocides; macromolecular substances as carriers for biocide material A01N25/10
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/1618 inorganic
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/69 Particle size larger than 1000 nm
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 24/04 Impact or kinetic deposition of particles
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 4/08 containing only metal elements C23C4/073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24413 Metal or metal compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249954 With chemically effective material or specified gas other than air, N, or carbon dioxide in void-containing component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249976 Voids specified as closed

Abstract

A method of protecting a polymer surface against fouling, which method comprises embedding in the polymer surface particles having antifouling properties, wherein the particles are embedded in the polymer surface by a spray mechanism in which the particles are accelerated and sprayed onto the polymer surface with a suitable velocity such that the particles become embedded in the polymer surface, wherein the particles are embedded in the polymer surface without an adhesive or binder and wherein the particles do not form a continuous layer on the polymer surface.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a polymer surface against fouling, which method comprises embedding in the polymer surface particles having antifouling properties, wherein the particles are embedded in the polymer surface by a spray mechanism in which the particles are accelerated and sprayed onto the polymer surface with a suitable velocity such that the particles become embedded in the polymer surface, wherein the particles are embedded in the polymer surface without an adhesive or binder and wherein the particles do not form a continuous layer on the polymer surface.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particles provide antifouling properties by a chemical release mechanism.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic or cured thermoset polymer.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particles have an average particle size of up to 100 μ

m.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particles provide anti-biofouling properties to the polymer surface.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particles are anti-biofouling particles selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc and/or compounds and alloys composed therefrom.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer surface is a polymer layer provided over another substrate.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particles are sprayed on to the polymer surface at a particle velocity of from 300 to 1200 m/s.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particles are embedded in the polymer surface by cold spraying of particles onto the polymer surface.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer has an elastic modulus of no more than 3000 MPa.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particle density is at least 5 g/m² and no more than 200 g/m².

12. A polymer surface comprising embedded particles having antifouling properties, when produced according to the method of claim 1.

19. The method according to claim 2, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic or cured thermoset polymer.

20. The method according to claim 3, wherein the particles have an average particle size of up to 100 μ

m.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the particles are anti-biofouling particles selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc and/or compounds and alloys composed therefrom.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the particles are anti-biofouling particles selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc and/or compounds and alloys composed therefrom.

13. A polymer composite having antifouling properties, the polymer composite comprising particles having antifouling properties embedded in a polymer surface, wherein the particles do not form a continuous layer on the polymer surface, and wherein a portion of the particles are embedded (a) below the surface of the polymer and in direct communication with the surface of the polymer;

or (b) in craters or cavities in the polymer that are formed by impact of particles on the polymer surface.

17. A polymer composite according to claim 13, wherein the polymer composite has an elastic modulus of no more than 3000 MPa.

14. (canceled)

15. A polymer composite having a functionalised surface property, the polymer composite comprising particles having a functional property embedded in a polymer surface, wherein the particles do not form a continuous layer on the polymer surface, and wherein a portion of the particles are embedded (a) below the surface of the polymer and in direct communication with the surface of the polymer;

or (b) in craters or cavities in the polymer that are formed by impact of particles on the polymer surface.

18. A polymer composite according to claim 15, wherein the polymer composite has an elastic modulus of no more than 3000 MPa.

16. (canceled)