Variation in adhesion strength of Balanus eburneus, Crassostrea virginica and Hydroides dianthus to fouling-release coatings

This study compared the shear adhesion strength of barnacles, oysters and tubeworms on eight RTV 11-based silicone fouling-release coatings containing different silicone oil additives. It was found that adhesion strength differed among species and coating types. In most cases, oysters and tubeworms had higher adhesion strengths than barnacles. Barnacle adhesion strength was reduced on all coatings containing oil additives; however, this was not generally true for oysters and tubeworms. The difference in the adhesion strength among the three organisms tested in this study emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamental interaction between marine invertebrate adhesives and the substratum.