With increasing fuel costs and a focus on emissions, ship operators
are increasingly seeking quick, simple and cost effective solutions to
improve operating efficiency. Over the last 10 years, Intersleek®
biocide free foul release systems from International Paint Ltd have
delivered the proven benefits of an ultra smooth hull surface on
thousands of ships and different ship types, resulting in reduced fuel
consumption, cost andreduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Access to these benefits for vessels coated with non SPC
(self polishing copolymer) antifouling coatings has usually
meant full blast cleaning of the underwater hull to remove the
existing coatings prior to installation of the Intersleek system.
Continued research and development, particularly in the area
of adhesion mechanics has resulted in the latest innovation to
complement the Intersleek range, Intersleek®7180 Linkcoat.
Intersleek®7180 Linkcoat now allows access to this
groundbreaking fluoropolymer based Intersleek®900 and
silicone based Intersleek®700 foul release technology, without
the need and expense of full underwater hull blast cleaning.
Specially designed for direct application over existing
traditional antifouling technologies, controlled depletion
polymers and hybrid schemes in addition to SPC antifoulings,
the application of Intersleek®7180 Linkcoat followed by the full
Intersleek® scheme, can significantly reduce the surface
roughness of an existing antifouling system by over 70%,
resulting in a smoother hull.
Adhesion to and performance over a wide range of
existing antifouling surfaces is provided by the specialized dualcure
technology (DCT) utilized in Intersleek®7180 Linkcoat. An
initial fast cure provides excellent drying and barrier
properties whilst a secondary cure employing flexible polymer
chemistry enhances system adhesion. Intersleek®7180
Linkcoat also fills in and levels out the rough surface of an
existing antifouling to provide the basis for a smooth finish that
is almost as good as the Intersleek® system being applied to a
fully blast cleaned surface. The smooth surface produced,
reduces drag, significantly improves vessel efficiency and
reduces fuel consumption and associated emissions.