Coatings manufacturer Hempel has launched a new antifouling coating – Atlantic+.
Atlantic+ is designed to protect the hull from fouling throughout service intervals of up to sixty months. The new antifouling is suitable for all vessel types and all water temperatures.
Microfibre Technology
The new fouling incorporates a biocide package and binder system. This ensures progressive and controlled self-polishing. For mechanical strength, the new coating is reinforced with Hempel's patented microfibre technology.
The science behind the microfibre technology involves introducing an internal skeleton of fibres into the paint to enhance its mechanical strength – in the same way that steel rods can be inserted into concrete to reinforce a physical structure. Strengthening the antifouling coating in this way, means ensuring protection from fouling on areas exposed to impact and abrasion; improving overcoatibility; reducing the areas to blast; and is to decrease the costs for the ship´s dry docking.
