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Testing
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| Original Shell Test Panel |
Testing Summary
Shell's Thornton Research Centre initiated the original Aquasign®/Aquatect™ antifouling coating project in the mid 1970s. The work focused on finding a non-toxic surface to which fouling could not adhere even though exposure time would be lengthy. Potential suitable formulations where tested in the Pacific Ocean, North Sea and the South China Sea.
The Thornton team was headed up by Brian Shone and over a decade of research materials were accumulated on the antifouling materials, backings, dyes, moulding techniques and mechanical or chemical fixings. The critical surface tension for the marker face was also indentified during the project. These materials where transferred to Champion Environ when we purchased the patents and intellectual property from Shell in the late 1990's.
Shell's project budget generated a huge volume of important data that would be impossible for a smaller company to replicate and thus it is the foundation on which we have built our product enhancements.
The formula has altered over the years either due to Champion's continuous improvement ethos, Solis® non fade variation is an example, or forced when a manufacturer cease production of a raw material contained within the product. Every year a significant proportion of our research budget focuses on the qualification of alternative raw materials to ensure continuity of supply to our customers.
"Occurrences in this domain are beyond the reach of exact prediction because of the variety of factors in operation, not because of any lack of order in nature."
Albert Einstein
Our test programs for our Aquasign® markers include
- Anti-fouling Performance Longevity
- Toxicity
- Damage Tolerance
- Moulding compatibility
- Attachment mechanisms
Benchmarking against the incumbent formulation is crucial and the approval of alternative formulations is only given where it equals or exceeds the weighted performance of the current product. Aquasign®'s antifouling performance is guaranteed to continue to work for a minimum of 30 years.
"It is not possible to predict with reasonable certainty whether any particular combination of silicone, catalysts and other components and the proportions of each which are used will achieve such lifetimes. Even apparently minor changes in formulation including material used can have a significant effect upon the anti-fouling and mechanical properties of the markers."
Alastair Milne, Managing Director
The cost of change to a formulation is significant.
Extended raft tests are required to ensure that the effects of seasonality have been taken into account. Fouling is unpredictable and to guard against false results Champion Environ place several test patches of each formula randomly on the test rafts.
Even a change to the catalyst used with the base silicone can significantly alter the products performance. (Catalyst report).
Independent accredited test facilities are utilized to supplement our internal expertise.
This research program enables Champion Environ to guarantee its Aquasign® antifouling systems for between 30 and 70 years, depending marker thickness. It is important that the adhesives or mechanical fixings that accompany Aquasign® can also be covered under our guarantee.
Our test programs for adhesives and mechanical fixings include
- Aggressive immersion
- Tensile strength
- Toxicity
- Damage Tolerance
Test reports are available in our download area for those customers who have registered for preferred user status.
Our research and development program has ensured that Aquasign® remains the premier anti-fouling underwater marker system.
Aquasign® - Proven Technology for over 25 years.
