Patent Abstract:
A composition for coating a water-contacting surface for reducing kinematic friction, preventing corrosion and blistering, reducing water impact noise, and absorbing water shock includes a polymer including a polyhydroxystyrene of the novolak type. In alternate embodiments the composition also includes an antifouling agent, a gel coating material, and/or an epoxy. A method includes coating a water-contacting surface with the composition, preferably in a solution in an appropriate solvent, such as a low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbon such as an alcohol or a ketone. Application of the composition to a water-submersible or contacting surface results in a hydrophilic surface having a considerably reduced contact angle, permitting increased speed and improving fuel efficiency.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of and incorporates by reference co-pending application Ser. No. 09/542,756, filed Apr. 4, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,028, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 09/238,818, filed Jan. 28, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,869 and PCT application PCT/US99/24048, filed Oct. 25, 1999, designating the United States, all of which are commonly owned with the present application which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to surface coatings, and, more particularly, to such coatings for use in or on an aqueous environment or in contact with an aqueous fluid or solid.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Coatings for application to structures in or on aqueous environments and static underwater structures are known for use to preserve surfaces, improve their appearance, and reduce drag for moving structures or devices. Such structures or devices may comprise, but are not intended to be limited to, movable boats such as sailboats, yachts, inboard and outboard motor boats, rowboats, motor launches, canoes, kayaks, inflatable watercraft, waterskis, snow skis, jetskis, snowboards, snowmobiles, toboggans, bobsleds, surfboards, sailboards, waterbikes, ocean liners, tugboats, tankers, cargo ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, pontoons for sea planes, and destroyers. Underwater static structures may include, but are not intended to be limited to, wharves, piers, pilings, bridges, and other structures that may comprise wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, glass, or concrete.  
           [0006]    Some coatings known in the art include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,575,123; 4,100,309; 4,119,094; 4,373,009; 4,642,267; 5,488,076; 5,554,214; and 5,700,559. Antifouling compositions have also been known to be used against such organisms as barnacles, algae, slime, acorn shells (Balanidae), goose mussels (Lepodoids), tubeworms, sea moss, oysters, brozoans, and tunicates (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,689).  
           [0007]    Coatings may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic, the latter incurring friction between the moving surface and the water and including Teflon-like, paraffin wax, and fluorocarbon/silicone materials. The former maintains an adhering layer of water, the kinematic friction occurring with the water through which the craft moves.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of reducing kinematic friction between a watercraft or water-contacting surface and the water through which the watercraft moves.  
           [0009]    It is an additional object to provide a coating for a watercraft for reducing kinematic friction.  
           [0010]    It is a further object to provide such a coating that is hydrophilic.  
           [0011]    It is another object to provide such a coating that also possesses antifouling properties.  
           [0012]    It is yet an additional object to provide a new use for a novolak-type polymeric composition.  
           [0013]    An additional object is to provide a composition and method for improving fuel efficiency in watercraft.  
           [0014]    A further object is to provide a composition and method for coating a surface intended to contact water in either a liquid or frozen state to improve kinematic friction.  
           [0015]    Another object is to provide a composition and method for coating a surface to reduce noise associated with contact with water.  
           [0016]    It is an additional object to provide a composition and method for coating a surface to absorb shock associated with water and wave contact.  
           [0017]    It is a further object to provide a composition and method for coating a surface to protect against corrosion and/or blistering.  
           [0018]    These objects and others are attained by the present invention, a composition and method for coating water-contacting surfaces having the property of reducing kinematic friction. It is to be understood by one of skill in the art that by “water” is meant any aqueous environment, freshwater or marine, as well as in a frozen state, i.e., ice or snow. An embodiment of the composition comprises a solution including a polymer comprising a polyhydroxystyrene of the novolak type. The polymer may be present in a concentration range of trace to the solubility limit, approximately 75% in alcohol. In a preferred embodiment the composition further comprises an antifouling agent.  
           [0019]    In a first subembodiment of the composition, the polyhydroxystyrene is blended in a low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbon solvent. In a second subembodiment, the polyhydroxystyrene is incorporated into a gel-type coating. In a third subembodiment, the polyhydroxystyrene is incorporated into an epoxy, such as a one- or a two-part epoxy, for forming a permanent or semipermanent coating.  
           [0020]    A first embodiment of the method of the present invention comprises applying the composition as described above to an outer surface of a marine watercraft or to any water-contacting surface to achieve a coating thereof. Preferably the composition is applied in a solution in an appropriate solvent, which may comprise a low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbon such as an alcohol or ketone. The coated surface is smooth and free of tackiness and thus is not fouled by common water debris such as sand and weeds. The coating is insoluble in water and resists abrasion, giving a functional lifetime that has been estimated to be a few years of continuous use.  
           [0021]    A second embodiment comprises a method for increasing the kinematic efficiency of a marine watercraft, including applying the composition to a submersible surface of a marine watercraft.  
           [0022]    A third embodiment comprises a method for making the composition, including blending the polyhydroxystyrene in a low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbon solvent, a gel coat, or an epoxy.  
           [0023]    A fourth embodiment comprises a method for reducing noise of water and wave impact, including applying the composition to a water-contacting surface such as a roof.  
           [0024]    A fifth embodiment comprises a method for absorbing shock experienced by water-contacting surfaces, such as boat hulls, including applying the composition thereto.  
           [0025]    A sixth embodiment comprises a method for protecting a water-contacting surface from corrosion or blistering, including applying the composition to the affected surface.  
           [0026]    An application of the composition of the present invention to a water-submersible surface results in a hydrophilic surface having a considerably reduced contact angle. For example, when the composition is applied to a fiberglass/polyester surface with an initial contact angle of approximately 60° with water as determined by the tilting plate method (see N. K. Adam,  The Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces , Oxford Univ. Press, 1941), the contact angle is reduced to about 15°. Thus the use of the coating is beneficial on watercraft to increase the speed thereof and/or to improve the fuel utilization.  
           [0027]    The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    The FIGURE illustrates the laboratory apparatus used to test the effect of the coating of the present invention upon the speed of an object falling through water. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to the FIGURE.  
         [0030]    A first embodiment of the composition comprises polyhydroxystyrene dissolved in methanol as a 5-20 wt/vol % solution and an antifouling agent also present at 5-10 wt/vol %. An antifouling agent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copper powder, copper oxide, zinc oxide (Kadox 911), titanium oxide (Degussa P-25), tin oxide, Irgarol 1051 algicide (Ciba), and the antibiotic Compound X (Starbright), although other antifouling agents known in the art or to be conceived in the future may also be used. The best mode at present is believed to comprise zinc oxide, although this is not intended as a limitation. A pigment may also be included.  
         [0031]    A copolymerization of the polyhydroxystyrene with at least one other hydroxylated polymer such as polyhydroxylethylmethacrylate, polymethacrylic acid, and polyhydroxymethylene or with another hydrophilic polymer such as polyallylamine, polyaminostyrene, polyacrylamide, or polyacrylic acid allows a variation of the coating without reducing the solubility of the copolymer in the solvent, while also not increasing the solubility of the dry coated polymer in water.  
         [0032]    A second embodiment of the composition comprises a polymer comprising polyhydroxystyrene incorporated into a gel coat as is known in the art for treating the surfaces of marine watercraft.  
         [0033]    A third embodiment of the composition comprises a polymer comprising polyhydroxystyrene incorporated into an epoxy, including a one- or a two-part epoxy.  
         [0034]    A fourth embodiment of the composition comprises a polymer comprising polyhydroxystyrene incorporated into isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The polymer may be dissolved in amounts ranging from trace to the solubility limit, here approximately 75%. Although not intended to be limiting, various ranges may be contemplated for different applications and different durabilities as follows: trace-5%, skis, scuba gear, jet skis, smaller boats; 5-10%, competition coatings; 10-30%, antifouling product, also adds in bonding of antifouling component(s); 30-40%, propeller coating; 40-75%, ships and applications requiring great durability; 75%-solubility limit, for applications requiring extreme wear or those subject to high abrasion, such as propeller coatings for ships or in high-speed applications.  
         [0035]    A fifth embodiment of the composition includes a substance known as a “fugitive dye.” This substance, which imparts a color, such as violet, to the composition, may be added to the polymer solution prior to applying the composition to a surface. The user can then check the surface during the coating proces to ensure complete coverage, and the dye disappears over time.  
         [0036]    Test Apparatus  
         [0037]    A laboratory apparatus  10  used to test the effectiveness of the first embodiment of the coating of the present invention on a plastic bob  12  to affect the speed with which the bob  12  drops 1.3 m through sea water under the influence of gravity. An exemplary bob  12  comprises a plastic hydrophobic pointed cylinder approximately 1.26 cm in diameter and from 7.62 to 25.40 cm in length.  
         [0038]    The apparatus  10  includes a glass tube  14  1.52 m long and having an inner diameter of 3.5 cm filled with artificial seawater. The bob  12  was allowed to fall from an initial position  20  to a second position  22  1.3 m apart. A photoelectric detector  16  at the initial position  20  starts a digital electronic timer  18 . A second photoelectric detector  24  at the second position  22  stops the timer  18 . The time recorded, typically in the second range, depending upon the size and mass of the falling bob  12 , represents the time taken for the bob  12  to fall from the initial position  20  to the second position  22 .  
         [0039]    The bob  12  also has a thread  26  attached to its top end, which enables the bob  12  to be raised after resetting the timer  18  to ready it for another test. The initial position  20  should be set carefully in order to achieve reproducible results with a low standard deviation from the mean when ten identical, or as close to identical as possible, tests are averaged.  
         [0040]    Exemplary Test Results  20  Tests undertaken on the apparatus described above have shown that the falling time, which ranges from 1.5 to 6 sec depending upon the size and mass of the object, decreases by 100-300 msec when a coating of the present invention has been applied (Table 1). This represents an improvement in the speed of 2-8%. The maximum speed at which these tests were performed correspond to the equivalent of about 2.5 knots. This is far below the 9-20 knots of ocean tankers or the 20-30 knots of passenger ships and ocean cargo vessels. However, the results of Table 1B show that the degree of improvement of the coating increases as the speed of the moving object increases for a fixed surface-to-water contact area.  
                                                                                     TABLE 1                       Some typical results showing (a) the effect polyhydroxystyrene       coatings on bobs of various materials by a determination of the time       for the bob to fall (in milliseconds, ms), and (b) the effect       of speed on the improvement due to the coatings for a fixed surface.                                        Anti-   Time (ms)   Time (ms)                   fouling   Before   After   Percentage       (a)   Material*   Agent   Coating   Coating   Improvement               1.   Polyethylene   ZnO   3869.4 ± 44   3567.0 ± 30       7.9%       2.   Nylon   None     4283 ± 79   4179 ± 41   2.4%       3.   Nylon   ZnO   3098.2 ± 26   2988 ± 27   3.5%       4.   Polyvinyl-   ZnO     4561 ± 38   4404 ± 34   3.4%           chloride       5.   Polyvinyl-   None   1519.3 ± 13   1489.0 ± 10       2.0%           chloride                        Mass of Bob   Time (ms)   Time (ms)   Percentage       (b)   Grams   Before Coating   After Coating   Improvement                    6.   32.9   5047.6 ± 56     4959 ± 72   1.8%       7.   34.2   2011.7 ± 27   1947.6 ± 20   3.2%       8.   38.3   1711.3 ± 21   1664.4 ± 12   6.0                                                        
 
         [0041]    It has been shown that an application of a 5-20% solution of polyhydroxystyrene in methanol changes a hydrophobic surface into a hydrophilic one. The contact angle of flat metal, plastic, and wood surfaces were determined by the tilting plate method before and after application of the coating. The results are given in Table 2, where the contact angles are the averages of the advancing and receding angles. These data show that the coating causes a significant decrease in the contact angle of water with the surface. Similar data were obtained when an antifouling agent such as listed previously is added.  
                             TABLE 2                           Contact angles of water on various surfaces before       and after coating with a solution of Polyhydroxystyrene            Surface   Contact Angle Before   Contact Angle after               Polyethylene   56   16       Stainless Steel   42   20           61   18       Aluminum   70   15       Fiberglass/polyester   53   22           60   17       Silicone rubber   48   18       Plexiglass   60   12           63   14       Polystyrene   58   15       Wood (oak)   33   18                  
 
         [0042]    The coating was also applied to a test boat having an onboard computer to monitor the power, speed, and rpm. The characteristics of this exemplary test boat are given in Table 3, and the results of three tests under different conditions of speed and rpm for the uncoated and coated boat are given, respectively, in Tables 4A and 4B, with a summary given in Table 5. For fixed power, the coating effected an increase in speed of 8%, and the fuel savings was approximately 10% when the boat was fully in the water, i.e., prior to planing. The coated boat tended to plane at lower throttle speed and felt more slippery in the water than the uncoated boat.  
                                                                             TABLE 3                       Boat Characteristics                                Gas Test Number   Test 1               Boat Model   26 Nova Spyder       Boat Number   WELP 340 E788       Engine Manufacturer   Mercruiser Twin       Engine Model   350 Magnum       Stern Drive Model   Alpha One       Gear Ratio (X:1)   1.50:1       Propshaft Hp   500       Stbd Idle Timing    8 Degrees BTDC       Port Idle Timing    8 Degrees BTDC       Stbd Adv Timing   32 Degrees BTDC       Port Adv Timing   32 Degrees BTDC       Rpm Range   4400-4800 RPM       X″ Dimension   5 1/4 (1 1/4″ Above)            Fuel Load    60.0 Gallons    4900 Lbs Aft       Fuel Capacity     120 Gallons    2800 Lbs Fwd       Boat Weight at Test    9011 Pounds    7700 Lbs Ttl       Center of Gravity   104.7 Inches   24.00 Ft. Dist.            Trim Tabs   Bennett 9″ × 12″ (Performance)       Exhaust System   Thru-transom 100 Pounds Gear       Driver   Willie Petrate 200 Pounds       Passengers   Don, Ken, Lee 640 Pounds       Location   Sarasota Bay       Water Conditions   Lite Chop       Wind Conditions   Northwest @ 10 MPH       Radar   Stalker       Fuel Flow Meter   Floscan 7000       G″ Meter   Vericom 2000r       Propeller Model   Quicksilver       Prop Material   Stainless Steel       Wellcraft PN   1405===       Manufacturer&#39;s PN   48-163184       Number of Blades   Three Rh       Diameter   13 3/4″       Pitch   21&lt;       True Pitch   22.0 Inches       Hull Constant   280,6633       Minimum Rpm to Maintain Plane   2400 RPM       Boat Position Angle at Rest   4 Degrees       Boat List Angle at Rest   0 Degrees       Bow Measurement (Inches)   N/A Inches       Transom Measurement (Inches)   N/A Inches       NMMA Boat Maneuverability Test   OK       Backdown Test   Use Caution       Sight Anti-ventilation Plate   Well Defined       Total Fuel this Test   12.0 Gallons       Total Engine Time this Test   One Hour       Recommended Cruising Rpm   3500 RPM            Acceleration Test   Test   Seconds   Feet       Time to Plane   1   4.10   60       0-20 Mph   2   4.17   61       Drive Trim 100% dn   3   5.00   74           Avg   4.42   65            Recommended Propeller   Yes                  
 
         [0043]    [0043]                                             TABLE 4A                       BOAT TEST REPORT       MARINE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION       TEST NUMBER: Test 1     Normal Hull                                1000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   48.4%   1   7.7   mph   83   DB       mpg   1.99   2   6.6   mph   4.25   BPA       trim   100% DN   3   7.2   mph   3.6   GPH       plates   None   avg   7.2   mph   227   RANGE               1500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   55.4%   1   9.9   mph   85   DB       mpg   1.45   2   8.7   mph   6.5   BPA       trim   100% DN   3   9.3   mph   6.4   GPH       plates   None   avg   9.3   mph   156   RANGE               2000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   66.4%   1   10.5   mph   86   DB       mpg   0.77   2   8.0   mph   7.75   BPA       trim   100% DN   3   9.5   mph   12.2   GPH       plates   None   avg   9.3   mph   87   RANGE               2500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   21.4%   1   27.0   mph   87   DB       mpg   1.72   2   27.6   mph   3.75   BPA       trim   100% DN   3   27.3   mph   15.9   GPH       plates   None   avg   27.3   mph   196   RANGE               3000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   20.8%   1   32.6   mph   88   DB       mpg   1.73   2   33.4   mph   3.75   BPA       trim   20% UP   3   33.0   mph   19.1   GPH       plates   None   avg   33.0   mph   197   RANGE               3500   Cruise RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   15.5%   1   40.7   mph   90   DB       mpg   1.74   2   41.4   mph   3.50   BPA       trim   35% UP   3   41.1   mph   23.6   GPH       plates   None   avg   41.1   mph   193   RANGE               3500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   15.5%   1   40.7   mph   90   DB       mpg   1.74   2   41.4   mph   3.50   BPA       trim   35% UP   3   41.1   mph   23.6   GPH       plates   None   avg   41.1   mph   193   RANGE               4000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   14.7%   1   47.8   mph   91   DB       mpg   1.51   2   47.0   mph   3.25   BPA       trim   60% UP   3   47.4   mph   31.4   GPH       plates   None   avg   47.4   mph   172   RANGE               4500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   14.5%   1   54.0   mph   95   DB       mpg   1.35   2   53.4   mph   3.00   BPA       trim   70% UP   3   53.0   mph   39.5   GPH       plates   None   avg   53.5   mph   154   RANGE               4760   MAX RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   14.3%   1   56.0   mph   97   DB       mpg   1.22   2   57.2   mph   3.00   BPA       trim   80% UP   3   56.8   mph   46.6   GPH       plates   None   avg   56.7   mph   139   RANGE                                            
         [0044]    [0044]                                             TABLE 4B                       BOAT TEST REPORT       MARINE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION       TEST NUMBER: Test 2     Hull Coated with PHS                                1000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   48.2%   1   7.6   mph   83   DB       mpg   2.06   2   6.8   mph   4.25   BPA       trim   100% DN   3   7.2   mph   3.5   GPH       plates   None   avg   7.2   mph   235   RANGE               1500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   52.5%   1   9.7   mph   85   DB       mpg   1.52   2   10.1   mph   7.00   BPA       trim   l00% DN   3   9.9   mph   8.5   GPH       plates   None   avg   9.9   mph   174   RANGE               2000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   61.2%   1   10.0   mph   86   DB       mpg   .90   2   11.5   mph   8.25   BPA       trim   100% DN   3   10.8   mph   12.0   GPH       plates   None   avg   10.8   mph   102   RANGE               2500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   15.1%   1   29.2   mph   87   DB       mpg   1.84   2   29.7   mph   4.25   BPA       trim   100% DN   3   29.5   mph   16.0   GPH       plates   None   avg   29.5   mph   210   RANGE               3000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   14.1%   1   36.0   mph   88   DB       mpg   1.85   2   36.4   mph   4.00   BPA       trim   20% UP   3   35.0   mph   19.3   GPH       plates   None   avg   35.8   mph   211   RANGE               3500   Cruise RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   13.6%   1   42.1   mph   90   DB       mpg   1.79   2   42.6   mph   3.50   BPA       trim   35% UP   3   41.3   mph   23.5   GPH       plates   None   avg   42.0   mph   204   RANGE               3500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   13.6%   1   42.1   mph   90   DB       mpg   1.79   2   42.6   mph   3.50   BPA       trim   35% UP   3   41.3   mph   23.5   GPH       plates   None   avg   42.0   mph   204   RANGE               4000   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   12.5%   1   49.0       91   DB       mpg   1.54   2   48.7   mph   3.50   BPA       trim   60% UP   3   48.1   mph   31.5   GPH       plates   None   avg   48.6   mph   176   RANGE               4500   RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   12.4%   1   55.0   mph   95   DB       mpg   1.37   2   54.5   mph   3.50   BPA       trim   70% UP   3   54.8   mph   40.1   GPH       plates   None   avg   54.8   mph   156   RANGE               4785   MAX RPM               ZERO   LIST       slip %   12.4%   1   58.0   mph   97   DB       mpg   1.25   2   58.2   mph   3.25   BPA       trim   80% UP   3   58.5   mph   46.5   GPH       plates   None   avg   58.2   mph   143   RANGE                                                    
         [0045]    [0045]                                                                               TABLE 5                       SO-BRIGHT INTERNATIONAL TEST RESULTS       Test One - Prior to Chemical Application       Test Two - After Chemical Application                                                                        Changes           TEST NR   Test 1   Test 2   Changes   Test 1   Test 2   Changes   Test 1   Test 2   IN       20 Nova Spyder   RPM   MPH   MPH   IN MPH   MPG   MPG   IN MPG   RANGE   RANGE   RANGE               Mercruiser   1000   7.2   7.2   0.0   2.0   2.1   0.07   227   235   7.6       350 Magnum   1500   9.3   9.9   0.6   1.5   1.5   0.07   166   174   8.0       Alpha One   2000   9.3   10.8   1.4   0.8   0.9   0.13   87   102   15.1       Sarasota Bay   2500   27.3   29.5   2.2   1.7   1.8   0.12   196   210   14.2       Quicksilver   3000   33.0   35.8   2.8   1.7   1.9   0.13   197   211   14.5       Stainless Steel   3500   41.1   42.0   0.9   1.7   1.8   0.05   198   204   5.4       Three Blades RH (2)   4000   47.4   48.6   1.2   1.5   1.5   0.03   172   176   3.8       21″   4500   53.5   54.8   1.3   1.4   1.4   0.03   154   158   3.8       4760   4785   56.7   58.2   1.6   1.2   1.3   0.04   121   124   3.6                        ACCELERATION (0-20 MPH):   Test 1   Test 2                       SECONDS TO PLANE:   4.4   3.9           FEET TO PLANE:   65.0   57.0                                                                        
         [0046]    The results clearly show that a boat coated with the composition of the present invention moves faster than an uncoated boat under substantially identical power consumption; similarly, for the same speed the coating reduces the rate of fuel consumption or increase the distance the boat will travel on a full tank of fuel. The difference varies with speed or power of the boat, and Table 5 shows that in the tests the maximum improvement of 17% at 2000 rpm corresponded to 10.8 miles/hour. At higher speeds the boat started to plane, resulting in less boat surface area in contact with water, and therefore a reduced beneficial effect of the coating is observed. For the case of ocean liners, cargo boats, or sailboats, which do not plane, it is expected that the beneficial effects of the coating of the present invention would continue to increase with an increase in power and speed since the surface-to-water contact area would not change under these changing conditions.  
         [0047]    Further tests have been undertaken with different boats to study speed (two tests), fuel efficiency, and range, and with an aircraft to study water distance to takeoff. The test results are shown, respectively, in Tables 6-10.  
                                                           TABLE 6                           Improvement in Speed with Coated Hull a              RPM   PRE AVG   POST AVG   DIFF.   % GAIN                     650   5.50   6.35   0.85   15.45       1000   7.30   8.50   1.20   16.44       1500   9.10   11.60   2.50   27.47       2000   14.90   15.95   1.05   7.05       2500   20.90   22.60   1.70   8.13       3000   26.50   27.80   1.30   4.91       3500   31.10   32.30   1.20   3.86       4000   34.00   36.50   2.50   7.35       4500   37.10   38.90   1.80   4.85       4775   39.30   40.50   1.20   3.05                          
 
         [0048]    [0048]                                                           TABLE 7                           Improvement in Speed with Coated Hull a              RPM   PRE AVG   POST AVG   DIFF.   % GAIN                    1000   4.5   5.4   0.9   20        1500   6.3   6.9   0.6   9       2000   8.1   8   [0.1]   [1]       2500   9.2   9.7   0.5   5       3000   12.7   15.3   2.6   20        3500   20.7   21.8   1.1   5       4000   29.7   28.7   [1.0]   [3]       4500   33.8   34.7   0.9   3       5000   36.4   37.2   0.8   2                            
         [0049]    [0049]                                                           TABLE 8                           Improvement in Fuel Efficiency with Coated Hull a              RPM   PRE AVG   POST AVG   DIFF.   % GAIN                    1000   1.9   2.3   0.4   21.1       1500   1.9   2.2   0.3   15.8       2000   1.7   1.8   0.1   5.9       2500   1.4   1.5   0.1   7.1       3000   1.6   2.0   0.4   25.0       3500   2.1   2.3   0.2   9.5       4000   2.4   2.5   0.1   4.2       4500   2.3   2.3   0   0       5000   1.6   1.9   0.3   18.8       Max   1.7   1.8   0.1   5.9       Min plane rpm   2200   2000   −200   −9.1                            
         [0050]    [0050]                                                           TABLE 9                           Improvement in Range with Coated Hull a              RPM   PRE AVG   POST AVG   DIFF.   % GAIN                    1000   232.0   281.0   49.0   21.1       1500   229.0   258.0   29.0   12.7       2000   201.0   213.0   12.0   6.0       2500   166.0   178.0   12.0   7.2       3000   197.0   236.0   39.0   19.8       3500   257.0   271.0   14.0   5.4       4000   284.0   301.0   17.0   6.0       4500   273.0   275.0   2.0   0.7       5000   192.0   222.0   30.0   15.6       Max   199.0   210.0   11.0   5.5                            
         [0051]    [0051]                                     TABLE 10                           Improvement in Takeoff Distance (ft) with Coated Aircraft a                              % REDN. IN       RPM   PRE AVG   POST AVG   DIFF.   TAKEOFF DISTANCE               1000   1272.6   969.6   −303.0   23.8       1500   1271.9   948.4   −323.5   25.4       2000   1275.8   959.0   −316.8   24.8       AVG   1273.4   959.0   −314.4   24.7                            
         [0052]    Therefore, it can be seen that the composition and methods of the present invention represent a significant increase in speed, fuel efficiency, and range of boats, and an improvement (reduction) in takeoff distance required in an amphibious aircraft, thus conferring concomitant ecological, economic, and safety benefits.  
         [0053]    Methods of Using the Compositions  
         [0054]    Any of the compositions of the present invention may be used on virtually any water- or snow-contacting surface to reduce kinematic friction between the surface and the water or snow. Such surfaces may include, but are not intended to be limited to, marine watercraft hulls; ski, snowmobile, or snowboard bottom surfaces; engine outdrives; trim tabs; K-planes and other underwater hardware; propellers; shafts; personal submersible propulsion devices; amphibious aircraft; underwater dive equipment (wet suits, tanks, fins); pipes; roofs; fishing lures; fishing lines; scuba gear and masks; and the inner walls of pipes and tubing intended for carrying an aqueous solution, wherein the hydrophilic coating enhances the flow therethrough.  
         [0055]    In the case of pipes, for example, an application of the coating of the present invention to the walls of a pipe will permit a greater volume of an aqueous solution to flow therethrough, hence permitting fluid transfer more economically and efficiently.  
         [0056]    For fishing gear application, a lure becomes more hydrophilic, experiencing less drag, giving off less turbulence, and making it easier to retrieve. A coated fishing line is also hydrophilic, having less drag and creating less turbulence, and making it easier to retrieve.  
         [0057]    Scuba gear also benefits from the application of the composition of the present invention. Again, the gear becomes hydrophilic, has less drag, creates less turbulence, and is easier to maneuver. A scuba mask lens also becomes hydrophilic, presenting the inner surface from fogging, and providing a long-lasting, durable, antifogging coating.  
         [0058]    An application of the coating to the cooling systems of outboard and inboard engines is also advantageous, since the efficiency of the system is increased by allowing a greater amount of water to flow therethrough. In addition, corrosion will be minimized, since a barrier is formed between the water and the corrosible parts of the engine.  
         [0059]    The compositions may also be applied to such surfaces to reduce corrosion and prevent paint blistering.  
         [0060]    The compositions may further be applied to such surfaces to provide shock-absorbing properties.  
         [0061]    The compositions may additionally be applied to such surfaces to provide noise reduction, such as on a metal roof against rain noise.  
         [0062]    It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional embodiments may be contemplated, including compositions comprising polymers having characteristics imparting the desired properties and other antifouling agents.  
         [0063]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.  
         [0064]    Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2