Abstract
Anti-fouling properties of various materials including commonly used plastics and metals were evaluated monthly for one year by a Miyajima's method based on the standardization of fouling grade at a moorage in Mikawa Bay, Aichi Prefecture. Plastics (PVC, PET, FRP, and PTFE) were superior in their anti-fouling properties to metals (Ti, SUS, Al, Fe, Zn, and Ni) for the first seven months (November to May) when macro- fouling organisms were few; however, except Silicone rubber, copper, and its alloys, the differences diminished due to the heavy settlement of sessile animals starting in June, and the total fouling value became almost the same in October. Silicone rubber showed the similar fouling values for the first eight months as the other plastics, but it showed lower values in August due to the falling off of sessile animals from its surface. Copper and its alloys had the most superior anti-fouling properties among the test materials, although their effectiveness was less as the proportion of copper in the alloy decreased. The anti-fouling property of test materials can be ranked as follows, in decreasing order of effectiveness, based on the highest observed fouling value for each: Cu>>Cu/Ni(90/10)>>Cu/Ni(70/30)>Cu/Zn>Si-R>>SUS≥Zn, Ni, PET≥PVC, FRP, PTFE>Fe, Al, Ti.
