A rapid benchtop method to assess biofilm on marine fouling control coatings.

A rapid benchtop method to measure the torque associated with minidiscs rotating in water using a sensitive analytical rheometer has been used to monitor the drag caused by marine fouling on coated discs. The method was calibrated using sandpaper surfaces of known roughness. Minidiscs coated with commercial fouling control coatings, plus an inactive control, were exposed in an estuarine harbour.