Antifouling coats are a necessity for any seafarer, but the toxic effects they have on the surrounding waters are well known. There’s an eco-friendly solution though: graphene-based coats.
With many studies examining the biocidal effects of traditional antifouling products, there has been a greater push toward greener methods to keep marine organisms off boat hulls. The Environmental Protection Agency has responded to this push by imposing even more stringent standards on the maritime industry, prompting many manufacturers to come up with some truly innovative solutions.
In fact, one product that has been making waves among recreational and commercial boaters is graphene-infused antifouling paints. There are many reasons why, but industry experts like CRX Coatings say that it has a lot to do with the inherent eco-friendliness of graphene.
So, what makes graphene so special? Why doesn’t it have the same biocidal effects that copper and other antifouling agents do? The reason, as CRX Coatings explains, is that it’s chemically inert, meaning it won’t react with much of anything.
Nevertheless, it’s still effective at keeping barnacles, mussels, algae, and the like off boat hulls. Instead of leaching toxic chemicals that indiscriminately poison anything they come into contact with, graphene creates a smooth, low-friction surface that deters would-be stowaways from attaching to the hull, preventing the accumulation of marine growth.
“Innovations are focusing on physical rather than chemical methods of preventing fouling,” says CRX Coatings. “Slippery or textured surfaces, like graphene-based coatings, can make it difficult for marine organisms to attach.”
Graphene is also durable and resistant to corrosion, and its properties lend to the hydrodynamics of the vessel it is applied to, creating a “self-cleaning” effect where the motion of the boat will clean the hull. As a result, users will not have to reapply graphene antifouling coats as frequently, extending product life cycles and leading to less waste.
This makes this type of coating eco-friendly in more ways than one. It also results in less time and money spent on boat maintenance.
While graphene-based coatings are still relatively new on the market, many viable options already exist for recreational and commercial boaters alike.
One such product is CRX Coatings’ X21 Foul Release Coating, a completely biocide-free, non-toxic antifouling paint that takes full advantage of graphene’s innate properties to prevent biofouling. This easy-to-apply formula is available in quart, gallon, and five-gallon kits for vessels of any size.
Additionally, X21 is very versatile; it can be used in both freshwater and marine environments, making it the prime choice for any boater, regardless of where they set sail.
“The use of graphene in antifouling paints aligns with the principles of the circular economy,” says a spokesperson for CRX Coatings. “CRX Coatings is leading the charge with the development of such coatings. Our products are the premier choice for eco-friendly coatings as the boating industry moves away from toxic antifouling methods.”
For more information on biocide-free antifouling coatings and how to apply them, please visit https://crxcoatings.com/
