Aquatic Friction Reducer And Antifouling Paint Enhancer

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a novel hydrophilic or “water-loving” bottom finish for boats and watercraft composed and based on a non-ablative long-chain polymer, which is semi-permeable, but non-soluble in water. The invention also permits a slower, controlled release of the bioactive ingredients in anti-fouling marine paints. The invention further reduces fluid-flow friction and improves the drag verses speed ratio.

Description

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a method to alter the physical nature of the boundary layer between the hull and water by creating a “fluid-to-fluid surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide maximum efficiency and service life to anti-fouling paints.

It is a further object of the invention to provide faster acceleration for boats because of the increased water compatibility, but also because the bottom stays cleaner for prolonged periods.

It is an additional object of the invention to improve drag versus speed ratio resulting in impressive fuel savings.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSIONS OF THE PRIOR ARTS

In the past, compositions comprised of Acrylic Resin, Polyethyleneimine and a Polypoxide have been applied to food industry, construction and cosmetic industries and generally employed where it is desired to permit the passage of some moisture, oxygen and carbon dioxide through a coating without passage of larger molecules in the following U.S. patent among others:

Applicant U.S. Pat. No.
Vassileff 3,786,113

The problems associated with the sited 21 examples of manufacturing product from the Vassileff patent, in the marine industry (specifically the invention) are numerous.

Extensive experimentation was necessary to create a new and improved solvent-based product. This involves the flushing of water and/or alcohol after the cross-linking phase. The most successful results were achieved by replacement of the two components used in the prior art along with the cross-linking agent.

New mixing solvents such as xylene, mineral spirits or the like proved to be excellent replacements and found to be compatible with anti-fouling paints. The new vehicle/mixing solvents (composed of smaller molecules than water) drove the compound (the invention) deeper into the boat hull and did not peel off. The new solvent based formula (the invention) was also successful in adhering to anti-fouling paints on boat hulls.

By utilizing newer versions of the compositions found in the prior arts and climating water and alcohol from the “general procedure”, and replacing them with a smaller solvent molecule and new resin binding system, the new compound (the invention) will no longer peel or release but instead, will have to be physically removed from the boat hull.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a multi-step process for the creation of a polymeric composition that when applied to the hull of a boat, creates a beneficial “water-to-water” relationship.

The present invention also discloses a multi-step process for the creation of a polymeric composition that when applied over common anti-fouling paints, on the hull of a boat, enhances these paints in several beneficial ways.

The process involves an intimate mixture of one Polyacrylic Resin and one Polyoxypropylenediamine. Varieties of these products are readily available and well known to the arts.

The two principle components are advantageously mixed in a suitable solvent. The mixed polymers are in turn mixed with a cross-linking agent and cured.

Following conventional methods well known to the art, a glycerol epoxy resin can readily be employed and the degree of cross-linking desired in the final product can readily be determined and empirically for the two principle components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The old composition is easily prepared by physically blending the two polymers. In past applications, the mixture is utilized in the form of an aqueous or alcohol solution and in such cases, the two polymers were simply added to an appropriate volume of water or alcohol or separate solutions of each polymer are prepared and the two solutions then combined and cross-linked with a specified amount of glycerol epoxy resin in water or alcohol. This technique failed in marine application.

In essence, the new procedure employs higher performance polymers readily available in today's market and in an acceptable solvent base for use in the marine industry.

The new polymeric compositions comprise a homogeneous mixture of one Polyacrylic Resin and one Polyoxypropylenediamine. This mixture, in solvent-based situ is then subjected to conditions, which effect cross-linking.

In a preferred embodiment, the Polyacrylic Resin and Polyoxypropylenediamine is possible.

The Polyacrylic Resin employed in these compositions is substantially of the same type as that well known to the art. Typical of these polyacrylic resins are those available from Novion Chemical Company under the trademark Carboset®. These are typically such compounds as Carboset 510, 525, 526, 527 and the like being random interpolymer utilizing up to as many as five different acrylate monomers.

The second component of the present composition is a Polyxipropelene which can be chemically depicted as being of the formula (Poly(oxy(methyl- 1,2-ethanediyl)), alpha-(2-aminomethylethyl)omega-(2-amenomethylethoxy)-. This component is a well-known, commercially available substance from Huntsman Chemical Corporation under the trademark Jeffamine®.

Typical of the epoxides employed as cross-linking agents are those available from Hexion Chemical Company under the trademark Epon®. These are typically such compounds as Epon 872, 8021, 8111, 8115, 8121, and 8161 having epoxide equivalents of 172 to 6000, an epoxide equivalent being the grams of resin containing 1 gram-equivalent of epoxide.

The following examples will serve to further typify the nature of the present invention without being a limitation on the scope thereof, the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.

GENERAL PROCEDURE

The new composition is easily prepared by physically blending 160 grams of Carboset 525 with 180 grams of Jeffamine D-230 utilizing a solvent-based mixing solution. The two polymers are simply combined and mixed by man or machine under normal atmospheric conditions. Where necessary, heat was applied to accelerate the formulation of a suitable solution. These components, in situ, are cross-linked with 20 grams of Epon 8111 and cured.

EXAMPLE 1

160 grams of Carboset 525 and 180 grams of Jeffamine D-230 are combined in a 1000 ml beaker and physically mixed with 360 ml of Xylene (Xylo) for 20 minutes. The resultant mixture is cross-linked with 20 grams of Epon 8111 and allowed to cure for 72 hours.

EXAMPLE 2

160 grams of Carboset 527 and 180 grams of Jeffamine T-403 are combined in a 1000 ml beaker and mixing magnet inserted. 240 ml of VM&P Naphtha (Nafta VM&P) was introduced as mixing solvent. The beaker was placed on a magnetic plate and heat applied. The mixture was allowed to stir for 2 hours under heated conditions of 67° C. in order to accelerate the formulation of a suitable solution. Should the amount of the material exceed solubility at normal temperatures, as evidenced by the formation of solid upon cooling the final solution, the solid can be readily removed through conventional methods such as filtration. The resultant mixture is cross-linked with 60 grams of Epon 872 and allowed to cure for 72 hours.

Claims

1. A process to compose a novel hydrophilic bottom finish for boats and watercraft based on a non-ablative long chain polymer.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the resultant bottom finish can be applied by brush, roller or airless spray apparatus.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the resultant bottom finish can be applied over the bare hull of boats and watercraft.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the resultant bottom finish can be employed in various applications in addition to watercraft; i.e., surf boards, snow skies, snow mobiles, aircraft, etc.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the resultant bottom finish is semi-permeable, but not soluble in water.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the resultant bottom finish alters the physical nature of the boundary layer between the boat hull and water.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the resultant bottom finish absorbs a controlled amount of water, up to 40%.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the resultant bottom finish creates a fluid-to-fluid surface in water.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the resultant bottom finish is hard and tough when dry then softens with the absorption of water upon launching.

10. A process to compose a novel hydrophilic bottom finish for boats and watercraft based on a non-ablative long chain polymer to be applied over anti-fouling paints on boats and watercraft.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the resultant bottom finish permits a slower, controlled release of the bioactive ingredients in anti-fouling paints.

12. The process of claim 11, wherein the resultant bottom finish controls the leaching rate of the toxicant whereas barnacles and other such sea life virtually can not attach with up to 97% efficiency over a 25 month period.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the resultant bottom finish increases efficiency and service life of anti-fouling paints.

14. The process of claim 13, wherein the resultant bottom finish increases water compatibility and prolongs hull cleanliness.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein the resultant bottom finish decreases time intervals between costly haul-outs for cleaning.

16. A process to compose a novel hydrophilic bottom finish for boats and watercraft based on a non-ablative long chain polymer to be applied on the hull of boats and watercraft that improves drag verses speed ratio in water.

17. The process of claim 16, wherein the resultant bottom finish reduces fluid flow friction in water.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein the resultant bottom finish exhibits impressive fuel savings.