Influence of Physical and Mechanical Parameters on Cavitation Erosion and Antifouling Behaviour of Multilayer Silica-Based Hybrid Sol–Gel Coatings on Aluminium Alloys

Sol–gel coatings can provide anti-fouling and erosion resistance while being safe to use in the marine environment. MAPTMS/ZPO multilayer deposited on AA2024-T3 aluminium surface using dip-coating method at three different thicknesses (2, 4, 6 µm) are investigated this work. The characterised terms of physical mechanical properties, these properties comparison previously obtained cavitation levels coatings. Additionally, efficiency against biofouling was assessed Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a diatom. influence formation organic–inorganic hybrid materials (OIHMs) from prepared sols were analysed. A variety techniques, including attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), water contact angle (WCA) measurements, pencil hardness testing, cross-cut adhesion roughness profilometer, nano-indentation, performed bare coated substrates. results indicated that thickness, hydrophobicity, adherence strongly affected by roughness. elastic strain failure (H/E) plastic deformation (H3/E2) coefficients higher than those substrate before after test, indicating coating had ability withstand alone. Furthermore, microscopic analysis diatom, revealed surfaces exhibited decreased rate bacterial biofilm formation. data show sol–gel formed outperform uncoated hardness, strain, deformation, resistance. These characteristics attributed coatings’ adhesive capabilities, as well their tribological behaviour.