For protection from fouling and corrosion, various coatings and 

 antifouling paints are used as seawater barriers. For maximum effective 

 adhesion to the surfaces of metals, the right coating must first be selected, 

 next the protective coating must be carefully prepared, and finally, the 

 coating system must be carefully applied during ideal environmental 

 conditions. Depending upon the severity of use, rate of water flow, water 

 temperature, biological activity, and other factors involved, the existent 

 protective coating— antifouling system for ships (bottom) and for buoys 

 lasts from 1 to 3 years. 3 The sections that become fouled and corroded 

 must then undergo a costly and time-consuming process of reconditioning, 

 which includes scraping or sandblasting and a new application of protective 

 coatings. 



Of the many fouling organisms which become attached to the 

 surfaces of submerged objects, barnacles, whether dead or alive, are the 

 most difficult to remove. Because of the tenacity with which the barnacles 

 are able to cement themselves to various types of surfaces, a study to 

 determine the composition of the barnacle cement has been initiated. 4 



Various methods other than the application of antifouling paint 

 systems have been used either to kill existing marine growth or to prevent 

 or discourage further marine growth on submerged objects in the sea. 

 These include the use of ( 1 ) hot water, 5 (2) chlorine, 6 (3) alternating 

 electrical current, 7 and (4) plastic and cupro-nickel barrier wrappings. 8 



The present study involves the use of thin plastic films with a 

 pressure-sensitive adhesive backing placed over smooth, clean surfaces 

 (whether painted or unpainted) of carbon steel, stainless steel, and K-Monel. 

 The purpose of this study is to determine if the strippable plastic films can 

 be effectively used to 



1 . Protect painted as well as unpainted metal surfaces from fouling 

 and corrosion. 



2. Prolong the fouling-free and corrosion-free intervals so as to 

 decrease the total effort required for reconditioning fouled or 

 corroded surfaces. 



3. Remove barnacles, tubeworms, encrusting bryozoans, and other 

 sessile organisms that become attached to the plastic film, simply 

 by stripping off the plastic film. 



