CN1571725A - Hull coverings - Google Patents

Abstract

A product for the treatment of an area of an article residing underwater. The product is constituted by a plurality of shapes formed from copper or a copper nickel alloy and a carrier film. The product is adapted in use to be secured to the area of the article residing underwater such that the shapes contact or substantially contact each other. The shapes can be releasably secured to the carrier film or permanently secured to the carrier film. Suitable methods of applying the product to the area of the article are also disclosed.

Description

Ship hull coating

The present invention relates to the treatment of an underwater parasitic zone, and more particularly to an enclosure for protecting a vessel from aquatic plants and borers.

Traditional boats are generally made of wood, but aquatic organisms and borers, such as Toredo worms and wood-boring water lice, drill into the wood from the hull, thus burying hidden dangers for hull accidents.

In the late eighteenth century, copper fenders were commonly used to protect wood-hulled ships from erosion due to borers, and it was soon discovered that copper fenders could also prevent parasitism of aquatic plants. However, due to the effect of batteries, copper can accelerate the erosion process of iron and steel, so it was impossible to use copper guards on iron boats at that time.

Antifouling paints for underwater parasitic areas soon followed. Early antifouling paints contained only cuprous oxide as an active ingredient, and they were very ineffective. Subsequent antifouling coatings contain cuprous oxide, tin and tributyltin (TBT) as active ingredients to improve performance but lead to attack by aquatic organisms such as shells. Currently, the use of TBT is prohibited in all technologies below 25 meters.

No matter how different the antifouling coatings are, every antifouling coating has shortcomings in terms of performance or the influence of the surrounding environment. And for the treatment of ship hulls or any organisms with antifouling paint, the vessel must be out of the water, aquatic vegetation must be removed, and the area to be sprayed must be scraped clean before the antifouling paint is applied. This is very harmful to people and the environment. Moreover, this work needs to be carried out once a year, which is a waste of time and is very troublesome. The ship is also subjected to loads, and the cost is also very expensive.

So there is a need to be able to effectively treat areas of ships and other objects that are underwater for long periods of time, which can last for more than a year and is not harmful to the environment.

The present invention provides a device for treating a parasitic region of underwater substances, which comprises a plurality of elements formed of copper or copper-nickel alloy, and a carrier film, the device is fixed to the above-mentioned parasitic region of underwater substances such that setting When in place on the above-mentioned substance, elements that are in contact or substantially contact with each other have gaps therebetween.

Elements formed of the aforementioned copper or copper-nickel alloys protect wood from rot and perforation and steel from rust, while glass-reinforced polyester provides impervious protection, providing a durable oxidizing surface that inhibits aquatic growth.

Preferably, the aforementioned elements are made of copper-nickel alloy.

The above-mentioned copper-nickel alloy oxides will not be corroded by seawater like cuprous oxide, and will fall off during high-speed motion, causing harm to the environment. Usually, copper-nickel alloy oxides can only be removed by erosion, so the above-mentioned copper-nickel alloy oxides can only be removed by erosion. Alloy oxides can be effective on the surface of the alloy for a long time, so the wear of the alloy itself is very low, allowing the operation to last for more than six years.

The above-mentioned copper-nickel alloy is preferably cupronickel 90/10. The copper-nickel alloy is the active ingredient of the present invention, and cupronickel 90/10 is the most effective in preventing the growth of aquatic organisms without causing adverse effects on the environment. Other copper-nickel alloys such as cupronickel 70/30 can also be utilized if increased durability or other properties are required, for example for objects moving rapidly through water, and cupronickel 90/10 cannot be used due to erosion.

The aforementioned elements are preferably interfacing shapes. The above-mentioned engagement element is preferably adapted to be fixed to a parasitic region of submerged material such that the above-mentioned element is substantially an interface.

The above-mentioned joining element preferably has a thickness of 150-500 micrometers, more preferably 150 micrometers. The thickness of the above-mentioned engaging element makes it possible to mold the shape of the above-mentioned hull of the vessel to which the engaging element is fixed. The maximum diameter of the aforementioned elements is preferably 4-30 mm, depending on the final application.

In the region on the above-mentioned housing, a gap is preferably provided between the above-mentioned engagement elements, which gap is less than 0.4 mm wide. The above clearance dimensions are a compromise between the small size required, which limits the area for aquatic vegetation growth and the area of borehole generation, and the processing constraints, which require a gap between the above elements There is a gap, so the two contradict each other. The gaps between the above-mentioned engagement elements facilitate the installation of the engagement elements on the above-mentioned area of the coated housing. The previously used foil material can be extruded, rolled to shape the area covered by the shell as described above.

The aforementioned engaging elements preferably have three or more sides, and the engaging elements are more preferably hexagonal and square. Sharp corners are undesirable because they interfere with the laminar flow of water, create resistance, and are also prone to breakage; so hexagons and squares are ideal forms.

The aforementioned elements may be spherical particles. The above-mentioned granules are preferably adapted for fixation to submerged areas, each granule being in contact with an adjacent granule.

The diameter of the above-mentioned granules is preferably less than 150 microns, preferably 100 microns, more preferably 50 microns.

In a first aspect, the aforementioned element is detachably secured to the aforementioned carrier film. The aforementioned elements are preferably detachably fixed to the aforementioned carrier film by means of an adhesive. The above-mentioned carrying film is made of plastic, and can be made into a concave or convex form, but does not produce wrinkles.

Preferably said engagement elements are fixed to said carrier film so as to form a regular pattern, preferably each said regular pattern is surrounded by small regular gaps so as to form a boundary. The above border is preferably not less than 0.150mm and not more than 0.4mm wide. These gaps of the joint elements allow the above-mentioned carrier material carrying the joint elements to be controlled, so as to be coated and mounted on the above-mentioned housing.

When the above-mentioned granules are used, the above-mentioned granules are preferably detachably fixed on the above-mentioned carrier film, so as to cover the granules on the above-mentioned film.

The above-mentioned means may be arranged in layer or strip form.

The carrier film fixes the elements during manufacture and installation and protects the installed device until it is put into use.

The above-mentioned carrier film is preferably made of 60 micron general-purpose low-density polyethylene. The above-mentioned adhesive for detachably fixing the above-mentioned element to the carrier film is preferably an acrylic adhesive.

In a second aspect, said element is permanently affixed to one surface of said carrier film. The aforementioned elements are preferably permanently affixed to the surface of the carrier film by a suitable adhesive such as a solvent-modified acrylic adhesive.

The above-mentioned carrying film is made of plastic, preferably a waterproof plastic that can be made into convex and concave forms and does not produce wrinkles. It can be particularly preferred that the above-mentioned carrier film consists of a waterproof polyester film.

Moreover, the above-mentioned carrier film can also be an acrylic foam adhesive. The aforementioned elements are permanently bonded to the aforementioned acrylic foam adhesive, utilizing the natural properties of the acrylic foam adhesive. In the deep sea sector, the acrylic foam adhesives described above are especially suitable.

Preferably said engagement elements are fixed to said carrier film so as to form a regular pattern, preferably each said regular pattern is surrounded by small regular gaps so as to form a boundary. The above border is preferably not less than 0.150mm and not more than 0.4mm wide. These gaps of the joint elements allow the above-mentioned carrier material carrying the joint elements to be controlled, so as to be coated and mounted on the above-mentioned housing.

When the above-mentioned granules are used, the above-mentioned granules are preferably detachably fixed on the above-mentioned carrier film, so as to cover the granules on the above-mentioned film.

The above-mentioned means may be arranged in layer or strip form.

The carrier film is provided with an adhesive that does not carry the engaging elements on its surface. The adhesive is preferably a solvent modified acrylic adhesive. The above-mentioned adhesive-carrying surface is preferably covered by a removable backing strip which protects the adhesive until use.

The provision of the permanent fixation of the above-mentioned elements to the carrier film and the provision of the method with an adhesive surface facilitates the application of the above-mentioned device on the hull of a boat.

In a second aspect, a protective film can be detachably fixed to the surface of the device carrying the above-mentioned components by a suitable adhesive during the manufacturing and installation process. The above-mentioned protective film is preferably made of 60 micron general-purpose low-density polyethylene. The above-mentioned adhesive for detachably fixing the above-mentioned protective film to the element is preferably an acrylic adhesive.

Depending on whether the above-mentioned elements are detachably or permanently fixed to the above-mentioned carrier film, the carrier film of the above-mentioned carrying joint element is made of a suitable carrier film material, which has copper or copper nickel fixed there by a suitable adhesive. continuous film of the alloy. The above-mentioned joining member can be obtained by chemical etching on the copper-nickel material using hydrochloric acid as an etching solution (etchant), especially an acid-resistant ink mask or a light-resistant dry film. The acid-resistant ink mask or light-resistant drying film has the desired pattern and is applied on copper or copper-nickel alloy when the hydrochloric acid chemically dissolves the unprotected metal material to be fixed to the carrier film.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned joining element pattern can be accomplished by acid etching, in particular covering the above-mentioned copper or copper-nickel alloy with an epoxy-based acid preservative for fixing to the above-mentioned carrier film, and removing unnecessary material with acid.

It is also possible to manufacture the aforementioned devices by extrusion, stamping, rolling, grinding, EDM or milling.

Said device comprises a support material carrying copper or copper-nickel alloy granules, depending on whether said granules are detachably or permanently fixed to the carrier film, preferably by applying said granules to a substrate coated with a suitable binder. generated on the surface of the carrier film. Vibrating the carrying film can remove excess particles on the carrying film. When the carrier film is unrolled from a first roller and repeatedly rolled on a second roller, the granules are applied on the carrier film.

The above-mentioned carrier material is very flexible, so the above-mentioned device is very suitable for use in the treatment area of the hull of the boat with sharp edges or close contours.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for treating the submerged hull area of a vessel, comprising applying a plurality of copper or copper-nickel alloy elements fixed to a carrier film to the submerged hull area of the vessel such that The aforementioned elements are in contact or substantially contact with each other.

In a first aspect, the above-mentioned multilayer element applied to the hull of a ship is detachably fixed to a carrier film by an adhesive. Using multiple layers of material can help make the above components easier to install.

The multilayer elements described above can be applied directly onto the areas of the ship's hull to be coated. Preferably, said housing area is coated with a suitable adhesive, such as an epoxy-based primer applied prior to application of the epoxy-based adhesive with a brush, roller or spraying device. The above-mentioned epoxy-based binder can be a flexible cured material formed by reacting bisphenol A epoxy-based resin and adducted polymerized amine. In addition to securing the above elements to the area of the boat hull to be coated, the above adhesives provide additional protection against rot, rust, insect infestation and penetration.

The above-mentioned multi-layer element can be extruded into the above-mentioned adhesive with the element in contact with the adhesive. Rollers can be used to exert pressure on the above-mentioned elements to ensure adhesion.

Once the adhesive has cured, the carrier film may be peeled away from the vessel shell coated with the plurality of elements in contact or substantially contact with each other.

The elements described above can also be applied to the area of the molded housing. Said multilayer element is preferably arranged within the mold, said element facing said mold. Multilayer components can be held in place with heat or pressure activated adhesives. The use of such heat-sensitive or pressure-sensitive adhesives allows for the desired repositioning of multilayer components prior to activation of the above-described adhesives.

The aforementioned elements facing the mold are preferably coated with a suitable adhesive by means of a brush, roller or spraying device prior to the molding process. Once the molding process is complete, the mold can be removed free of the multilayer elements bonded to the molded boat hull and the carrier film subsequently peeled away from the area of the boat hull coated with the elements.

Said vessel hull area can be treated with said device comprising said carrier film carrying said engaging elements, or carrying said granules or a combination of both types of devices. Even more preferably, the above-mentioned device comprising a carrier film for carrying the granules is used in areas of the hull of a ship having sharp edges or close-fitting contours, and the above-mentioned device comprising a carrier film carrying engaging elements is used for the hull of a ship to be coated. remaining area.

In a second aspect, the above-mentioned element is applied in layered form to the above-mentioned hull area of the vessel and permanently fixed to the surface of a carrier film by means of an adhesive. The surface of the carrier film which does not carry the aforementioned elements is preferably provided with an adhesive, preferably coated with a protective film. The use of the above-mentioned multi-layer material, preferably with an adhesive surface, makes the installation of the above-mentioned device easier.

The multilayer elements described above can be applied directly onto the area to be coated. Preferably, the area of the ship's hull to be coated should be clean so that the device has a good application surface.

The adhesive surface of said carrier film is preferably extruded onto said hull by virtue of said element being remote from the hull of the vessel. Rollers can be used to apply pressure on the multilayer element to ensure adequate adhesion.

Any protective film covering the device may be peeled away from the area of the hull of the vessel described above which is coated with a plurality of elements in contact or substantially contact with each other.

The elements described above can also be applied to the area of the molded housing. Said multilayer element is preferably arranged within the mold, said element facing said mold. The multilayer components can be held in place with heat or pressure sensitive adhesives. The use of such heat-sensitive or pressure-sensitive adhesives allows for the desired repositioning of multilayer components prior to activation of the above-described adhesives.

Remove any protective film covering the adhesive surface of the above carrier film. Once the above-mentioned molding process is completed, the above-mentioned mold can be removed to leave the multi-layer element bonded to the above-mentioned molded hull of the boat, and any protective film covering the above-mentioned element can be peeled off to release the above-mentioned element. Ship hull area.

Said vessel hull area can be treated with a device comprising said carrier film carrying said engaging elements, or carrying said granules or a combination of both types of devices.

In each aspect of the invention, the gaps between the aforementioned elements are preferably grouted, more preferably epoxy-based grout.

The invention further provides an object having an underwater parasitic region, wherein said region is coated with a plurality of elements formed of copper or a copper-nickel alloy arranged on said region of the object such that they are in contact or substantially contact with each other .

The materials and the manner of utilization of the present invention will be described below by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. in:

Fig. 1 shows the plan view of device of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of an alternative device of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device in the first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the device in the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a device 1 of the invention. The device 1 described above comprises a carrier film 2 and a plurality of hexagons 3 of a cupronickel 90/10 alloy fixed to the carrier film 2 .

The composition of cupronickel 90/10 alloy is:

Carbon Max 0.05

Cobalt Max 0.1

Iron 1.0-2.0

Manganese 0.5-1.0

Nickel 9.0-10.0

Phosphorus Maximum 0.02

Lead Max 0.02

Sulfur Max 0.05

tin max 0.03

Zinc Max 0.5

Impurities Max 0.2

The rest is copper

The above-mentioned hexagons 3 are placed in rows on the carrier film 2 , and compared with the adjacent row, the hexagons in each row differ by half a hexagon. The above-mentioned hexagons 3 are spaced from each other by a maximum of about 0.4 mm in any direction, so that a border 4 is created around each hexagon 3 . The above-mentioned hexagon 3 has a width (w) of 5 mm from one side to the other side and a thickness of 0.150 mm.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of an alternative device 5 of the invention. Said device 5 comprises a carrier film 2 and a plurality of spherical bodies 7 of cupronickel 90/10 alloy (composition given above) fixed to the carrier film 2 . The above-mentioned spherical bodies 7 are fixed to the carrier film 2 with a suitable adhesive.

The above-mentioned spherical bodies 7 are arranged arbitrarily on the carrier film 2, and each spherical body is in contact or substantially in contact with the adjacent spherical bodies. The spherical bodies are separated from each other by a maximum of 0.4 mm in any direction. The diameter (d) of the spherical body 7 is 0.150 mm.

As described below, the device 1 described above may be made of a carrier film 2 having a continuous film of a cupronickel 90/10 alloy fixed thereto. The above-mentioned joining member can be obtained by chemical etching on the copper-nickel material with hydrochloric acid as an etching solution (etchant) using an acid-resistant ink mask or a light-resistant dry film having a desired pattern. The above-mentioned etchant and the above-mentioned epoxy resin used to fix the material 1 of the present invention to an object are compatible with the adhesive, in the example of the present invention, the object is the hull of a ship.

The above-mentioned carrier film 2 is unrolled by a roller, and the side of the carrier film 2 is exposed to form the device 5 , and the side of the carrier film is used to carry the adhesive for fixing the cupronickel 90/10 spherical body 7 to the carrier film. The above-mentioned spherical bodies 7 are interspersed on the side of the carrier film 6 carrying the adhesive only influenced by gravity. Utilizing the vibration of the above-mentioned film 6, the redundant spherical bodies 7 which are not bonded can be removed from the above-mentioned carrier film 2. The above-mentioned film coated with spherical bodies 7 was rolled up again and stored until use.

In the remainder of the description of FIGS. 3 and 4 , spherical bodies 7 are included in the structure of the hexagon 3 .

In the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the above-mentioned carrier film 2 is made of 60 micron general-purpose low-density polyethylene, and in the process of manufacture and installation, it is used to maintain the six sides on the film 2. Form 3 has an acrylic adhesive on surface 2a.

In a second aspect of the invention, as shown in Figure 4, the carrier film 2 is made of waterproof polyester film and has a solvent-modified acrylic bond on a surface 2a for holding the hexagons 3 on the film 2 agent. The other side 2b of the membrane 2 is provided with a solvent modified acrylic adhesive for fixing the device to the hull of the vessel. There is also provided a protective film 10 made of general purpose low-density polyethylene, which can be detachably fixed to the above-mentioned hexagon 3 by means of an acrylic adhesive. A protective film 11 is also provided for detachable fixation to the above-mentioned surface 2b and is provided with an adhesive to protect the acrylic adhesive until the device is used up.

The device of the present invention can be applied to existing hulls of boats, thereby avoiding the need for antifouling in the future, and can also be fixed to the hulls of new boats at the time of manufacture.

In order to apply the devices 1, 5 to existing boat hulls, the same method can be used for each device.

In the above-mentioned first aspect, firstly, the above-mentioned shell is cleaned to remove all parasitic aquatic organisms. Use a brush to apply epoxy based primer to the shell 60mm above the waterline when loaded. When the above primer has cured, apply epoxy-based adhesive to the housing with a brush. The pellets 1, 5 and the above-mentioned cupronickel 90/10 elements 3, 7 in contact with the adhesive are then mounted on the above-mentioned housing. Pressure is applied by means of rollers to ensure the application of the above-mentioned elements 3, 7 to the adhesive of the above-mentioned housing. Once the adhesive has cured, the carrier film 2 can be removed by peeling off the elements 3, 7 so as to leave the hull of the vessel covered by the cupronickel 90/10 elements 3, 7 in contact or substantially contact with each other.

When applying the above-described device 1, 5 to a new vessel with a molded hull, the above-mentioned molds are prepared as usual. The plan of how the above-mentioned devices 1, 5 are cut and positioned in the above-mentioned mould, to cover the entire hull of the ship, can be proposed by the ship designer.

The above-prepared mold is coated with a low tack heat sensitive adhesive, which allows the multilayer device 1, 5 to be positioned, if necessary repositioned, when the carrier film 2 is in contact with said adhesive. , and remain in place within the aforementioned mould. Once said multilayer device 1, 5 is correctly positioned, said multilayer device 1, 5 can be extruded through rollers into said mold using a low heat source.

An epoxy-based primer was then brushed over the exposed surfaces of the above-mentioned devices 1, 5, cupronickel 90/10 components 3, 7, allowing the primer to cure with the epoxy-based adhesive used. The housing described above is then molded using conventional means.

After the molding of the above-mentioned shell is completed, it is withdrawn from the above-mentioned mold. The shell can be removed from the mold with water. The above-mentioned carrier film 2 can then be peeled off, leaving the above-mentioned new molded housing coated with cupronickel 90/10 elements 3, 7 in contact or substantially with each other.

In the treatment of existing or new vessel hulls, the means 5 carrying the above described cupronickel 90/10 elements 7 are usually applied to areas of the hull with sharp edges or closed contours. Bonding the element 7 to the carrier film 6 makes the above-mentioned device 5 more flexible and thus easier to use in the above-mentioned area. The device 1 carrying the joining hexagons 3 glued to the carrier film 2 is generally applied to larger and more accessible areas of the hull of the vessel.

In the second aspect, the above-mentioned shell is first cleaned to remove all parasitic aquatic organisms. The protective layer 11 is then removed to expose the solvent-modified acrylic adhesive on the surface 2b, and the device 1, 5 is applied to the casing in layered form by adhering the device to the casing with the surface 2b in contact with the casing. Pressure is applied by means of rollers to ensure the application of the above-mentioned elements 3, 7 to the adhesive of the above-mentioned housing. Thereafter, the above-mentioned protective layer 10 can be peeled off from the elements 3, 7, leaving the above-mentioned housing coated with cupronickel 90/10 elements 3, 7 in contact or substantially contact with each other.

When applying the above-described device 1, 5 to a new vessel with a molded hull, the above-mentioned molds are prepared as usual. The plan of how the above-mentioned devices 1, 5 are cut and positioned in the above-mentioned mould, to cover the entire hull of the ship, can be proposed by the ship designer.

The above-prepared mold is coated with a low-viscosity heat-sensitive adhesive which, when the carrier films 2, 6 are in contact with the above-mentioned adhesive, allows the multi-layer device 1, 5 to be positioned, repositioned if necessary, and Stay in place inside the mould. Once said multilayer device 1, 5 is correctly positioned, said multilayer device 1, 5 can be extruded through rollers into said mold using a low heat source.

The above-mentioned protective layer 11 can be removed from the carrier film surface 2b, thereby exposing the above-mentioned solvent modified adhesive. Subsequently, the housing described above is molded by conventional means.

After the molding of the above-mentioned shell is completed, it is withdrawn from the above-mentioned mold. The shell can be removed from the mold with water. The above-mentioned protective film 10 can then be peeled off, exposing the elements 3, 7, thereby leaving the above-mentioned new molded housing coated with cupronickel 90/10 elements 3, 7 in contact or substantially contact with each other.

Claims (33)

1. A device for treating an area of underwater objects, comprising a plurality of copper or copper-nickel alloy elements and a carrier membrane, and fixable in use to an area of underwater objects such that said elements are properly positioned on said object Sometimes, the elements are in contact or substantially contact with each other. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elements are copper-nickel alloy elements. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said copper-nickel alloy is cupronickel 90/10. 4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elements have a thickness of 150-500 microns. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said element has a thickness of 150 microns. 6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elements have a maximum diameter of 4-30 mm. 7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element is an engaging element. 8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element is an engaging element. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that said elements are granules. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said granules are less than 150 microns in diameter. 11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element is detachably fastened to said carrier film. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that said carrier film is made of plastic material, capable of being convex or concave without wrinkling. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said carrier film is general purpose low density polyethylene. 14. A device as claimed in any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that said element is fixed to said carrier film by means of an acrylic adhesive. 15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that said element is permanently fixed to one surface of said carrier film. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said element is permanently affixed to the surface of said carrier film by a solvent modified acrylic adhesive. 17. The device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the above-mentioned supporting film is made of waterproof material, and can be made into a concave or convex form without wrinkling. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein said carrier film is a waterproof polyester film. 19. Device according to any one of claims 15-18, characterized in that said carrier film is an adhesive on the surface, but does not carry said engaging elements. 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said adhesive is a solvent modified acrylic adhesive. 21. The device according to any one of claims 15-20, characterized in that said protective film is detachably fixed to said device carrying said components to protect said components during manufacturing and installation. 22. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said carrier film is an acrylic foam adhesive. 23. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is arranged in the form of a layer or a strip. 24. A method of manufacturing the device of claim 1, comprising providing a carrier film material having a continuous film of copper or copper-nickel alloy fixed thereon, and chemically etching the copper-nickel material by an acidic etching solution to produce multiple elements that are in contact or substantially in contact. 25. A method for treating an area of a submerged object comprising applying to said area of an underwater object a plurality of copper or copper-nickel alloy elements secured to a carrier film such that said elements are in contact or substantially contact with each other . 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said element is removably secured to said carrier film. 27. A method as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the area of the object to be coated is coated with a suitable adhesive, and that the multilayer element is extruded onto the adhesive by contacting the element with the adhesive. and peeling off said carrier film away from said object area coated with a plurality of mutually contacting or substantially contacting elements. 28. A method as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that said multi-layer element is arranged in a mould, said element faces said mould, said element facing said mold is coated with a suitable adhesive, and said molding process is carried out , thereafter, the mold can be removed to leave the element bonded to the molded object, and the carrier film is then peeled off to leave the area of the object coated with the element. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein said element is permanently affixed to the surface of a carrier film, said carrier film not bearing said element on the surface having adhesive force. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said element is moved away from said object, away from an area of the object coated with a plurality of elements in contact or substantially contact with each other, the adhesive surface of said carrier film being pressed against said on the shell. 31. A method as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that said multilayer element is arranged in a mould, the bonding surface of said carrier film is directed towards said mould, said molding process is carried out, after which said mould can be removed to make It leaves the area of the object coated with the aforementioned elements in contact or substantially contact with each other. 32. A method as claimed in any one of claims 25-31, characterized in that the gaps between said elements are applied with grout. 33. An object having an underwater region, characterized in that said region is coated with a plurality of copper or copper-nickel alloy elements, wherein said elements are arranged on said region of said object such that said elements are in contact with each other or substantially touch.

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