Methods of protecting a propeller include applying an inner polymer layer onto a propeller. The inner polymer layer is impregnated with a biologically active chemical substance that inhibits biofouling-induced chemical, biological, and bio-proliferative damage and that does not chemically or galvanically interact with a material of the propeller. An outer polymer layer is applied onto the inner polymer layer, the outer polymer layer being impregnated with a biologically active chemical substance that inhibits biofouling-induced chemical, biological, and bio-proliferative damage and that repels biofouling organisms to prevent invasion of the inner polymer layer.

Water-based compositions that are resistant to dirt pickup, efflorescence, tannin bleed-through and surfactant leaching are described. The water-based composition includes a latex or water-dispersible polymer and a non-VOC UV-VIS (preferably, ultraviolet) absorber as a dirt pickup resistance additive. Methods of making water-based compositions including a non-VOC UV-VIS absorber as an additive are also described.

An article having antifouling properties and intended to be employed in aquatic uses, in particular marine uses. In particular there is provided an article having antifouling properties and intended to be employed in aquatic uses which comprises: a) a support, b) optionally, at least one primer coat on said support comprising at least one anticorrosive product, c) optionally, at least one intermediate primer coat promoting adhesion between the coats, d) at least one adhesion-promoting coat or tie coat, deposited on said primer coat or on said support when the primer coat is absent, and e) at least one antifouling coat or topcoat, deposited on said adhesion-promoting coat or tie coat.

Silicone compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The silicone coatings can exhibit improved dirt pick-up resistance and cleanability. The silicone compositions include a polysiloxane, at least one surfactant, and optionally one or more of a pigment, a filler, a crosslinker, an adhesion promoter, a catalyst, additives or solvents.

The present invention relates to compositions and a process in the field of self-cleaning system using digestive proteins. One composition includes a substrate, a digestive protein capable of decomposing a stain molecule, and a link moiety bound to both said digestive protein and said substrate. An alternative composition includes a digestive protein capable of decomposing a stain molecule and a coating substrate wherein said digestive protein may be dispersed in said coating substrate. The process claim includes binding a substrate to a surface and forming a linker moiety between a digestive protein and said substrate.

The present invention relates to gel compositions comprising at least one entrapped active component.

Water-based compositions that are resistant to dirt pickup, efflorescence, tannin bleed-through and surfactant leaching are described. The water-based composition includes a latex or water-dispersible polymer and a non-VOC UV-VIS (preferably, ultraviolet) absorber as a dirt pickup resistance additive. Methods of making water-based compositions including a non-VOC UV-VIS absorber as an additive are also described.

The present invention provides antifouling coating compositions having excellent long-term storage stability and provides an antifouling coating composition that can maintain the stable dissolution and antifouling performance of a coating film without causing coating film defects such as cracks in seawater for a long term, such that an antifouling coating film having increased environmental safety can be formed. The present invention provides an antifouling coating composition containing: (A) a triorganosilyl ester-containing copolymer obtained from a mixture of (a) a triorganosilyl (meth)acrylate monomer represented by general formula (1):

##STR00001##

(here, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are the same or different from each other and each represents a C.sub.3-6 alkyl group branched at the α-position or a phenyl group) and (b) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable with the triorganosilyl (meth)acrylate monomer; and (B) calcium sulfate hydrate.

A surface of a marine object is treated with an antifouling paint. The antifouling paint comprises a porous silicate and a wax. The porous silicate has a particle size of between 1 and 100 μm and is in a concentration of between 18 and 60 weight percent. The antifouling paint is applied to the surface. The wax is used to encapsulate the porous silicate and to prevent an immediate release of ions from the porous silicate.

An object of the present invention is to provide an antifouling coating composition capable of forming an antifouling coating film that retains a high antifouling performance for a prolonged period of time and has an excellent damage resistance. Another object of the present invention is to provide an antifouling coating film formed with the antifouling coating composition, a substrate with an antifouling coating film and a method for producing the same, and an antifouling method using the antifouling coating film. The antifouling coating composition of the present invention contains a hydrolyzable polymer (A) containing a metal ester group, zinc oxide (B), and medetomidine (C), and has a content of the zinc oxide (B) in a solid content of the antifouling composition of 27 to 60% by mass.