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), titled "Standard Practice for Testing Biofouling Resistance of Marine Coatings Partially Immersed," is an internationally recognized practice developed by ASTM International. This standard provides a systematic procedure to evaluate the biofouling resistance and durability of marine coating systems and antifouling systems under partial immersion conditions. By simulating real-world marine environments, ASTM D5479 enables coating manufacturers, researchers, and marine industry professionals to screen the effectiveness of coatings designed to prevent the attachment and accumulation of marine organisms on submerged or partially submerged surfaces.
Key Topics
- Biofouling Resistance: The standard defines test methods to assess the performance of polymeric coatings engineered to prevent the settlement or permanent attachment of marine fouling organisms.
- Antifouling Coatings: Test procedures also apply to coatings that contain biocidal compounds or other antifouling technologies aimed at actively deterring marine growth.
- Partial Immersion Exposure: The practice focuses on in situ testing where coated test panels are partially immersed in seawater, enhancing the challenge from fouling organisms and simulating operational conditions found in vessels, offshore platforms, and marine infrastructure.
- Environmental Variability: Recognizes how factors such as geographic location, time of year, and weather conditions can influence fouling rates and test outcomes. A control (nontoxic surface) is used to confirm sufficient fouling pressure.
- Safety and Compliance: Guidance on using personal protective equipment and handling coatings, which may contain toxic substances, is included to ensure user safety and environmental responsibility.
- Panel Preparation: Details requirements for the size, material, and installation of test panels and exposure racks, ensuring consistent and reliable test conditions.
Applications
ASTM D5479 is valuable across several sectors of the maritime and coatings industries:
- Marine Coating Development: Allows manufacturers to compare biofouling resistant and antifouling products under standardized, controlled conditions.
- Quality Assurance: Offers shipbuilders and marine operators a method to verify that coatings perform to expectations before deployment in service.
- Research and Innovation: Supports academic and commercial research on new antifouling technologies, including environmentally friendly and non-toxic coatings.
- Regulatory Compliance: Helps demonstrate coatings’ effectiveness to regulators and customers by adhering to internationally recognized testing methods.
Typical applications include:
- Testing hull coatings for ships, boats, and floating equipment
- Evaluating protection systems for offshore platforms, piers, and pilings
- Screening new materials or coatings for underwater infrastructure
Related Standards
For enhanced evaluation and broader context, ASTM D5479 refers to and complements other key 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
Together, these standards establish a comprehensive framework for marine coatings testing, ensuring industry-wide reliability, reproducibility, and compliance with the technical requirements set by ASTM International and international regulatory bodies.
By following ASTM D5479-94(2020), stakeholders in the marine industry can systematically assess and compare the biofouling resistance of coatings, leading to improved performance, reduced maintenance costs, and longer service life for marine assets.
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
DNV
DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider.
Lloyd's Register
Lloyd's Register is a global professional services organisation specialising in engineering and technology.
FSC International
Forest Stewardship Council certification.
Sponsored listings
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
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...