ASTM D5618-20

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Barnacle Adhesion Strength in Shear

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is designed as a screening test in the evaluation of coating systems and other materials designed to resist biofouling attachment.  
4.2 The degree and type of barnacle fouling will vary according to the geographic location of test sites and the time of year when tests are implemented. Surfaces with known barnacle adhesive shear strength should be exposed to provide comparative data.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of barnacle adhesion in shear to surfaces exposed in the marine environment. It is used to establish the ability of a surface to reduce biofouling adhesion. Surfaces with known barnacle adhesion strengths are included to serve as controls.  
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-Aug-2020
• ICS: 25.220.01 - Surface treatment and coating in general
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.45 - Marine Coatings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5618-94(2011) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Barnacle Adhesion Strength in Shear (Withdrawn 2020)
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3623-78a(2020) - Standard Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3623-78a(2012) - Standard Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D3623-78a(2004) - Standard Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2004
• Refers: ASTM D3623-78a(1998) - Standard Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence
• Effective Date: 10-May-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D6990-20 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Biofouling Resistance and Physical Performance of Marine Coating Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2020

Overview

ASTM D5618-20: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Barnacle Adhesion Strength in Shear is a globally recognized standard published by ASTM International. This test method provides a reliable and reproducible procedure for measuring the adhesion strength of barnacles to surfaces exposed in marine environments, specifically in shear. Its primary application is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of coating systems and surface treatments designed to resist biofouling, particularly barnacle attachment, on marine equipment and structures.

This document supports efforts to advance anti-biofouling technologies by offering a standardized screening method, facilitating consistent data and meaningful comparison across research and industry sectors worldwide.

Key Topics

• Barnacle Adhesion Measurement: Focuses on evaluating the shear strength necessary to detach barnacles from coated or uncoated surfaces subjected to marine immersion.
• Screening of Coating Systems: Enables preliminary assessment of anti-fouling coatings and treatments aimed at reducing marine biofouling.
• Test Control and Comparability: Recommends use of control surfaces with known barnacle adhesion strength to ensure the reliability and comparability of results.
• Procedure Overview:
  • Test surfaces are immersed in a marine environment.
  • Barnacles of specified size and species are selected.
  • Shear force is applied until the barnacle detaches.
  • The required force is normalized to the area of the barnacle base to determine adhesion strength.
• Reporting Requirements: Details data collection and reporting, including substrate, coating type, exposure time, barnacle species, and test outcomes.

Applications

ASTM D5618-20 has wide-ranging applications in the maritime and offshore industries, research institutions, and product development sectors focused on marine coatings. Typical uses include:

• Marine Coating Evaluation: Supports manufacturers and researchers in testing and improving antifouling coatings for ships, offshore platforms, and submerged structures.
• Quality Control: Offers a repeatable process for comparing new coatings or treatments to established benchmarks.
• Regulatory Compliance and Product Claims: Provides documented evidence of antifouling performance, aiding compliance with international regulations and substantiating marketing claims.
• Material Selection: Assists engineers and designers in selecting materials or treatments for use in marine environments susceptible to barnacle fouling.
• Research and Development: Serves as a basis for scientific studies exploring the mechanisms of barnacle adhesion and the effectiveness of biofouling control strategies.

Related Standards

Several standards and specifications are relevant to the implementation and interpretation of ASTM D5618-20, including:

• ASTM D3623: Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shallow Submergence - provides procedures for exposing test panels to marine conditions.
• MIL-P-24441/1: U.S. Military Specification for Primer, Epoxy (used as a control surface in this method).
• Biofouling Research References: Scientific literature outlining barnacle adhesion measurements and antifouling effectiveness.

Practical Value

Utilizing ASTM D5618-20 ensures consistency and reliability in measuring barnacle adhesion, which is crucial for advancing marine antifouling technologies. Adopting this standard helps companies, research laboratories, and regulatory authorities:

• Accelerate product development by screening new antifouling solutions efficiently
• Compare antifouling performance across products and geographies
• Generate credible, reproducible datasets for international collaboration
• Reduce operational costs and environmental impact by minimizing biofouling on marine assets

By incorporating ASTM D5618-20 into testing protocols, organizations can achieve higher assurance and defendable results in their efforts to combat marine biofouling.

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: D5618 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Barnacle Adhesion Strength in Shear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5618; 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 3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Test surfaces and coatings are immersed in the marine
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of barnacle
environmentaccordingtoTestMethodD3623.Whenbarnacles
adhesion in shear to surfaces exposed in the marine environ-
are observed to have settled on the surface, the strength of
ment. It is used to establish the ability of a surface to reduce
adhesion of individuals is measured. Barnacle adhesive shear
biofouling adhesion. Surfaces with known barnacle adhesion
strength is calculated by dividing the shear force required to
strengths are included to serve as controls.
remove the barnacle by the surface area of the barnacle base
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
plate. This test method is most suited to small barnacles
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
(generally with base diameters between 5 to 20 mm).
only.
3.2 The diameter of the barnacle base is measured and an
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
increasing shear force is applied to the base of the barnacle
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
until it is removed from the surface.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 This test method is designed as a screening test in the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- evaluation of coating systems and other materials designed to
resist biofouling attachment.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 The degree and type of barnacle fouling will vary
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
according to the geographic location of test sites and the time
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
of year when tests are implemented. Surfaces with known
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
barnacle adhesive shear strength should be exposed to provide
comparative data.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Interferences
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 Variations in barnacle adhesion strength may occur due
D3623 Test Method for Testing Antifouling Panels in Shal-
to differences in species, age, and physical condition.
low Submergence
5.2 Incomplete removal of the barnacle base plate from the
2.2 U.S. Military Specifications:
surface during testing may lead to erroneous adhesion values.
MIL-P-24441/1 Primer, Epoxy (Formula 150, Formula
Sheet 24441/1)
5.3 Care must be taken not to dislodge the barnacle during
base diameter measurements.
6. Apparatus
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
6.1 Hand-Held Probe, used to apply force to the barnacle
Subcommittee D01.45 on Marine Coatings.
base. It is recommended that a 14- by 14-mm stainless steel
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
plate be attached to the end of a 8-mm diameter stainless steel
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5618 – 94 (2011)
rod that is attached to a force measuring device (see Fig. 1).
which was withdrawn in January 2020 and reinstated in September 2020. DOI:
10.1520/D5618-20.
6.2 Force Measuring Device, maybe a spring scale or force
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
transducer.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Swain, G. W. J., Griffith, J., Bultman, D., and Vincent, H., “ BarnacleAdhesion
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http:// Measurements for the Field Evaluation of Candidate Antifouling Surfaces,
dodssp.daps.dla.mil. Biofoulin
...