Renolit film testing success
The fouling release film Renolit Dolphin S has now been successfully applied to a number of vessels and has obtained good results from submerged panel fouling tests
About four years ago, the film’s manufacturer in Worms, Germany commissioned tests on the effectiveness of its biocide-free film at a renowned, independent research institute. These tests show that the film offers excellent results and that there was very little or no fouling.
At the Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion (Dr. Brill and Partner, previously LimnoMar) on Norderney, film test strips were subjected to long-term trials since 2015. This involved coating a PVC panel with the Renolit film and then submerging it at a depth of 200mm in the water of the Port of Norderney. To ensure a realistic comparison, another three PVC panels were submerged. One with a silicone-based and biocide-free antifouling paint, one with an antifouling paint coating containing biocides and one completely untreated panel.
The course of the inspections over the past years showed that the test panel with the Renolit film remained largely free of fouling even in the fourth year. A few barnacles which were found could not adhere effectively and were washed off by the natural movement of the water. On the other hand, the untreated panel was completely encrusted with organisms.
By Jake Frith
