Reducción de la toxicidad de las pinturas antiincrustantes utilizando tiocianato cuproso

G. BLUSTEIN, B. DEL AMO, M. GARCÍA, M. PÉREZ, R. ROMAGNOLI, M. STUPAK

Río de Janeiro, Brasil

Congreso; 4º Seminário de Revestimentos e Pintura do 24º CONBRASCORR - Congresso Brasileiro de Corrosão; 2004

Abstract   Settlement of fouling organisms on submerged structures produces serious problems as loss of ship hydrodynamic, increase in fuel consumption and, simultaneously, it favors the beginning of corrosion processes as a consequence of secretion of organic metabolic products and formation of differential aeration cells on metallic surfaces. Application of antifouling paints is the most used method for biofouling control. Biocidal pigments are incorporated in paint formulations, they are released slowly into the sea generating a toxic interface. Cuprous oxide is the most common pigment employed. Research was focused to search new environmentally friendly antifouling compounds. Experiments using cuprous thiocyanate, a white antifouling compound, were carried out. Series of antifouling paints were formulated and evaluated in the field. Copper content was reduced 3.5 times in relation to a traditional cuprous oxide based paint. On the other hand, in order to obtain a more remarkable decrease in copper content, a thin layer of cuprous thiocyanate was precipitated on cores of inorganic non-toxic pigments. Results demonstrated that these paints are as effective as cuprous oxide based ones but the copper content is 35 times lower. The use of these pigments allows a considerable reduction of costs and minimizes marine pollution.