When considering the environmental attributes and performance of various antifouling materials-alongside factors such as procurement costs, service life, and maintenance expenses-the material offering the best value depends on the specific application scenario:
Top Choice for General Applications: Copper-Based Composite Antifouling Materials
Copper-based composite antifouling materials-primarily utilizing cuprous oxide or cuprous thiocyanate-represent the most widely used and cost-effective category on the market today:
Low procurement costs: The unit price of raw materials is only one-fifth to one-third that of high-end, eco-friendly bio-based alternatives; they are compatible with standard acrylic resin systems, making application straightforward and requiring no specialized processes.
Proven, stable performance: Effective antifouling protection lasts 1–3 years. These materials are suitable for a vast range of standard applications-including general marine vessels, industrial flooring, and building exteriors-and benefit from low technical barriers and a mature supply chain.
Low overall maintenance costs: The coatings offer excellent weather resistance, requiring far less frequent touch-up maintenance than standard temporary antifouling products; the total lifecycle cost is only about 40% that of high-end, copper-free systems.
Top Choice for Home Improvement & Civil Applications: Silicon-Crystal Glaze Antifouling Materials
Silicon-crystal glaze antifouling materials-based primarily on low-hydrogen silicone oil and polymethyltriethoxysilane:
Unit prices are just over ten yuan per kilogram-far lower than imported high-end antifouling coatings-while VOC levels are well below national standards, ensuring environmental compliance.
The coating achieves a hardness of 6H and offers three times the abrasion resistance of traditional epoxy flooring; common stains wipe off instantly. With a service life of 5–8 years, these materials are ideal for home walls, kitchen countertops, and commercial flooring, reducing cleaning and maintenance costs by over 60%.
