The influence of iron content on the biofouling resistance of 90/10 copper‐nickel alloys

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Abstract
A series of 90/10 cupronickel alloys containing iron at levels between 0% and 5% were immersed in the sea in Chichester Harbour. Samples were retrieved over a 14‐month period and subjected to scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The alloy with no iron corroded very rapidly and showed little, if any, colonisation. The 0·5% Fe and 1·5% Fe alloys developed microfouling communities dominated by the diatom Amphora, while the 2·5% and 5% Fe‐containing materials showed not only diatoms but also macro‐fouling in the form of barnacle settlement. However, the very loosely adherent nature of the iron and nickel‐rich corrosion products of these high iron alloys resulted in very poor tenacity of adhesion by the macrofouling. However, thick films of diatoms of lower copper tolerance became well established on the iron‐rich alloys. The alternative anti‐fouling mechanisms of the 90/10 copper‐nickels are discussed.