Materials for Oil Spill Containment Boom.

A study was recently conducted to investigate containment boom material requirements, which were defined and weighted in terms of their relative importance. When available, standard test procedures for use in evaluating each requirement were identified. Both substrate materials and coatings to be applied are discussed in this report. From the limited investigation, polyester was the most promising substrate material, followed by nylon. Chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyurethane with a polyether base, chlorinated polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride formulated with ultraviolet inhibitors are the most promising coating materials. One substrate and coating combination could not be identified as best because of the variation in material properties.