An experimental investigation of the frictional drag characteristics of nanostructured and fluorinated fouling-release coatings using an axisymmetric body

M. Atlar*, B. Ünal, U. O. Ünal, G. Politis, E. Martinelli, G. Galli, C. Davies, D. Williams

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The hydrodynamic performance of two, recently developed, nanostructured and fluorinated polymer coatings was explored in a systematic experimental study using the Newcastle University Cavitation Tunnel. The experiments consisted of testing the two coatings on an axisymmetric body apparatus to measure their boundary layer flow and frictional drag simultaneously. The tests also included a smooth reference surface as well as a state-of-the-art commercial fouling-release coating (Intersleek® 900). The boundary layer measurements were performed using a two-dimensional Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) system whilst the direct frictional force measurements were taken using a special load cell installed in the testing body. Careful surface roughness measurements of the test surfaces were also performed including the use of a non-contact high precision laser profilometer. The tests and subsequent analysis of the data highlighted the exceptionally good frictional properties of all the coatings tested as well as some of the drag benefits of the new polymer coatings in the investigated Reynolds number range.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-52
Number of pages14
JournalBiofouling
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2013

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2013, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Funding

The work was sponsored by the recently completed EU-FP6 Integrated Project AMBIO (Advanced Nanostructured Surfaces for the Control of Biofouling, Project No: NMP4-CT-2005-011827).

FundersFunder number
EU-FP6NMP4-CT-2005-011827

    Keywords

    • amphiphilic nanostructured polymers
    • antifouling coatings
    • axisymmetric body
    • fouling-release coatings
    • frictional drag
    • transitionally rough walls
    • zero-pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer

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