VIRIDYN DA-UV: Self-Cleaning Coatings for Marine Environments
The challenge:
A merchant navy fleet operator faced disruption of externally-mounted after-market optical sensors due to fouling by salt water spray. Long durations between port calls meant that fouling issues could not be addressed in real time as the damaged parts had to be replaced. As a result, the operator was faced with scenarios where sensors were offline for significant durations of each voyage, undermining mission success.
Engineers sought a solution to the question: how can we ensure long-duration hydrophobic protection of a transparent optical sensor housing from surface fouling caused by: moisture, corrosive saltwater spray, extended UV light exposure, and abrasive contact? Additionally, can we ensure that the solution is non-toxic and can be easily remediated in the field?
The solution:
Based on the parameters of the use-case and the key performance requirements, ViriDyn engineers understood that a suitable protective coating for the plastic sensor housing would have to create a low surface energy, hydrophobic surface exhibiting self-cleaning properties in order to reduce surface fouling, while simultaneously exhibiting a dense, low-porous hard structure to prevent salt-water corrosion and damage by abrasion.
A version of VIRIDYN DA, enhanced for greater UV light resistance, was presented as a promising candidate for this application. VIRIDYN DA-UV presents excellent hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance through an ultra-thin, abrasion resistant film that is optically transparent and non-toxic. VIRIDYN DA-UV is designed for ease of application and, unlike many optical coatings, can be easily remediated or restored.