Mitigating Marine Corrosion and Biofouling on 1008 Carbon Steel in Seawater Using PDMS Topcoat

Abstract The use of protective coatings to prevent corrosion in the marine environment is a common practice worldwide. Since real-life conditions could also include biofouling, focusing solely on one unilateral aspect of surface damage, especially for an alloy that cannot withstand the high-stress impacts of oceanic applications, provides little insight. The present study offers a platform for testing a multifunctional surface based on a superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating formulation for low-carbon 1008 Carbon Steel. While resistance against both marine corrosion and biofouling is observed, the reason for this dual protection is linked to the unique surface and bulk properties. Corrosion protection by this modified coating gel depends on the blend ratio between its precursors, ranging from the inorganic pigments to hybrid organic-inorganic surface enhancers and adhesion promoters, for each coating variant made (CMF0-3). This coating exhibited a remarkable response to corrosion tests in simulated seawater, inhibited Bovine Serum Albumin in an anti-adsorption test, and demonstrated a marked fouling-releasing potential against marine fouling in a field study. Overall, the development within this fundamental research forms the basis for a promising solution with possible applications as a protective marine coating.