Robust nontoxic antifouling elastomers

Abstract

The invention herein pertains to a method for reducing adhesion of marine organisms to a substrate and an article that is a substrate having thereon a solid coating of a fluorinated polyurethane elastomer. The elastomer is tough and has antifouling and release properties in reference to marine organisms. The method includes the steps of providing a liquid mixture of the fluorinated polyurethane elastomer, applying the elastomer mixture to said substrate, and curing the elastomer mixture to a solid coating of the fluorinated polyurethane elastomer, the elastomer having surface energy (which is a function of fluorine content) of 15-30 milli J/m2, Young's modulus of elasticity of 2-15 MPa, and fluorine content of 3-25%.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.