ASTM D5479-94(2020)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Testing Biofouling Resistance of Marine Coatings Partially Immersed
Standard Practice for Testing Biofouling Resistance of Marine Coatings Partially Immersed
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is designed as a screening test to evaluate the performance of applied coating systems and other materials designed to resist biofouling settlement.
4.2 The degree and type of fouling will vary depending on the environment. Differences in geographic location of test sites, time of year when panels are exposed, and weather conditions from one year to the next, can affect results. Such variables are accounted taking a fouling census on a nontoxic surface. For the exposure to be valid, the nontoxic surface should show heavy fouling accretion.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure to test a biofouling resistant coating systems or antifouling systems, or both, when subjected to in situ partial immersion exposure. This enhances settlement of certain marine fouling organisms and increase the rate of possible physical deterioration.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Jul-2020
- Technical Committee
- D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
- Drafting Committee
- D01.45 - Marine Coatings
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2020
- Refers
ASTM D3623-78a(2020) - Standard Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence - Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2020
- Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2020
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2013
- Refers
ASTM D3623-78a(2012) - Standard Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence - Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2007
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2007
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2007
- Refers
ASTM D3623-78a(2004) - Standard Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence - Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2004
- Effective Date
- 10-Mar-2003
- Effective Date
- 10-May-1998
- Effective Date
- 10-May-1996
- Effective Date
- 10-May-1996
- Effective Date
- 10-May-1996
- Effective Date
- 05-Dec-1990
Overview
ASTM D5479-94(2020) is an internationally recognized standard practice developed by ASTM International for testing the biofouling resistance of marine coatings subjected to partial immersion in real-world marine environments. This standard offers a systematic procedure to evaluate and screen the effectiveness of biofouling resistant coatings and antifouling systems, which are essential for preventing the settlement and attachment of marine organisms on vessels, structures, and submerged equipment.
By simulating partial immersion conditions, the method enhances the settlement of marine fouling organisms and evaluates potential physical deterioration of coating systems. The results provide valuable insights for manufacturers, marine engineers, and researchers seeking reliable data on coating performance in various marine environments.
Key Topics
- Biofouling and Antifouling Coatings: The standard defines and distinguishes between biofouling resistant coatings (designed to prevent organism attachment through surface characteristics) and antifouling coatings (which use active compounds to repel marine life).
- Exposure Methodology: Test panels coated with the systems under review are mounted on floating rafts and exposed to partial immersion, simulating actual marine conditions and providing a direct assessment of performance against fouling.
- Environmental Variation: The significance of environmental variability is stressed. Factors such as geographic location, time of year, and weather conditions can influence test results, highlighting the importance of site-specific testing and consideration of local marine biofouling pressures.
- Material Selection and Test Panel Configuration: The standard provides guidance on substrate materials (such as steel, reinforced polyester, marine alloys, and others) and dimensions for test panels to ensure representative and reproducible results.
- Safety and Compliance: Users are reminded to implement appropriate safety, health, and environmental procedures given the potential toxicity of antifouling coatings, and to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
Applications
ASTM D5479-94(2020) plays a crucial role in the marine industry and environmental science by enabling:
- Coating Development and Quality Control: Manufacturers of marine coatings use this standard as a screening test during research and product development to verify biofouling resistance before field deployment.
- Marine Construction and Vessel Maintenance: Shipbuilders, offshore platform operators, and marine maintenance teams utilize results from this practice to select or validate effective coating systems, improving operational efficiency and reducing biofouling-associated maintenance costs.
- Environmental Impact Assessment: Regulatory bodies and environmental consultants reference these results to ensure coatings comply with environmental protection guidelines, especially in sensitive or protected marine habitats.
- Comparative Testing: The method supports direct comparison among different coating systems, substrates, and formulations under consistent test parameters.
Related Standards
For comprehensive assessment and enhanced test accuracy, ASTM D5479-94(2020) references other relevant ASTM standards:
- ASTM D3623 - Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence
- ASTM D4938 - Test Method for Erosion Testing of Antifouling Paints Using High Velocity Water
- ASTM D4939 - Test Method for Subjecting Marine Antifouling Coating to Biofouling and Fluid Shear Forces in Natural Seawater
- ASTM D5108 - Test Method for Organotin Release Rates of Antifouling Coating Systems in Sea Water
ASTM D5479-94(2020) aligns with internationally recognized principles established by the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, ensuring harmonized practices in global marine coating evaluation.
Keywords: ASTM D5479, biofouling resistance, marine coatings, antifouling, partial immersion test, marine biofouling, coating performance, marine industry standards, ASTM marine coatings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D5479-94(2020) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Testing Biofouling Resistance of Marine Coatings Partially Immersed". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This test method is designed as a screening test to evaluate the performance of applied coating systems and other materials designed to resist biofouling settlement. 4.2 The degree and type of fouling will vary depending on the environment. Differences in geographic location of test sites, time of year when panels are exposed, and weather conditions from one year to the next, can affect results. Such variables are accounted taking a fouling census on a nontoxic surface. For the exposure to be valid, the nontoxic surface should show heavy fouling accretion. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers a procedure to test a biofouling resistant coating systems or antifouling systems, or both, when subjected to in situ partial immersion exposure. This enhances settlement of certain marine fouling organisms and increase the rate of possible physical deterioration. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This test method is designed as a screening test to evaluate the performance of applied coating systems and other materials designed to resist biofouling settlement. 4.2 The degree and type of fouling will vary depending on the environment. Differences in geographic location of test sites, time of year when panels are exposed, and weather conditions from one year to the next, can affect results. Such variables are accounted taking a fouling census on a nontoxic surface. For the exposure to be valid, the nontoxic surface should show heavy fouling accretion. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers a procedure to test a biofouling resistant coating systems or antifouling systems, or both, when subjected to in situ partial immersion exposure. This enhances settlement of certain marine fouling organisms and increase the rate of possible physical deterioration. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM D5479-94(2020) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 47.020.01 - General standards related to shipbuilding and marine structures. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D5479-94(2020) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D5479-94(2013), ASTM D3623-78a(2020), ASTM D4939-89(2020), ASTM D4939-89(2013), ASTM D3623-78a(2012), ASTM D5108-90(2007), ASTM D4939-89(2007), ASTM D4938-89(2007), ASTM D3623-78a(2004), ASTM D4939-89(2003), ASTM D3623-78a(1998), ASTM D4939-89(1996), ASTM D4938-89(1996), ASTM D5108-90(1996), ASTM D5108-90(2002). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D5479-94(2020) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5479 − 94 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Testing Biofouling Resistance of Marine Coatings Partially
Immersed
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5479; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope fouling Coating Systems in Sea Water (Withdrawn 2016)
1.1 This practice covers a procedure to test a biofouling
3. Terminology
resistant coating systems or antifouling systems, or both, when
3.1 Definitions:
subjected to in situ partial immersion exposure. This enhances
3.1.1 antifouling coatings, n—polymeric applied films en-
settlement of certain marine fouling organisms and increase the
gineered to prevent marine fouling settlement due to inclusion
rate of possible physical deterioration.
of antifouling compounds within its formulated matrix.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.2 biofouling-resistant coatings, n—polymeric applied
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
films, engineered to prevent secured or permanent attachment
only.
of marine fouling organisms due to certain surface character-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
istics.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3 film(s), n—each layer or coat of paint as applied to the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
substrate or on top of another applied coat.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.4 system, n—cumulative total number of coating films,
which includes application of a primary film(s) for the purpose
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
of protecting the substrate from possible deterioration, or
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
enhancing the adhesion of the biofouling resistant coating or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- antifouling coating to the primary film(s), or both.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2 Biofouling resistant coatings and antifouling coatings
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
are interrelated; thus they are used in this practice interchange-
ably.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3623 Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shal-
4.1 This test method is designed as a screening test to
low Submergence
evaluate the performance of applied coating systems and other
D4938 Test Method for Erosion Testing of Antifouling
materials designed to resist biofouling settlement.
Paints Using High Velocity Water
4.2 The degree and type of fouling will vary depending on
D4939 TestMethodforSubjectingMarineAntifoulingCoat-
the environment. Differences in geographic location of test
ing to Biofouling and Fluid Shear Forces in Natural
sites, time of year when panels are exposed, and weather
Seawater
conditions from one year to the next, can affect results. Such
D5108 Test Method for Organotin Release Rates of Anti-
variables are accounted taking a fouling census on a nontoxic
surface. For the exposure to be valid, the nontoxic surface
should show heavy fouling accretion.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
5. Apparatus
Subcommittee D01.45 on Marine Coatings.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published August 2020. Originally 5.1 Floating Raft—The test panels shall be mounted on a
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5479 – 94 (2013).
floating raft to maintain the correct position in the water.
DOI: 10.1520/D5479-94R20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5479 − 94 (2020)
5.1.1 The floating raft shall be constructed with a minimal centered at approximately 19 mm ( ⁄4 in.) from each corner
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