EVALUATION OF ANTIFOULING COATINGS PERFORMANCE TO PROTECT CARBON STEEL AGAINST MIC AND BIOFOULING IN POLLUTED SEAWATER

摘要

The performance of several formulations of antifouling coatings to protect carbon steel from the deleterious effects of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and marine biofouling in a tropical harbor seawater was assessed by means of field and laboratory experiments. MIC and biofouling effects are relevant factors in the corrosion of carbon steel due to the high level of pollution of the harbor seawater of Cartagena, Colombia, where this study was performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe microfouling characteristics and corrosion attack. Corrosion products characterization was made by using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The performance of soluble antifouling coatings was evaluated by seawater immersion.