Search Results (22)

Anti-icing glass is particularly important for applications where ice formation can pose safety risks or impair functionality. The challenge of anti-icing modification for glass lies in maintaining water repellency while addressing the issue of transparency and durability. In this work, leveraging the robustness and wear resistance of inorganic/organic composite materials, a highly transparent coating, with strong adhesive properties to glass substrates and repellency to liquids has been developed. Briefly, 3-glycidoxypropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (GPOSS) is employed as a precursor to fabricate a high-strength, high-transparency coating through modification with acrylic acid and perfluorooctyl acrylate. The inorganic component imparts strength and wear resistance to the coating, while the organic component provides hydrophobic and near oleophobic features. Furthermore, a custom-built mechanical test instrument evaluated the absolute value of the de-icing shear force. The results reveal that at −20 °C, the fluorinated modified coating only exhibit a minimum de-icing pressure of 40.3 kPa, which is 75% lower than the unmodified glass substrate. As-prepared coating exhibits a transmittance of up to 99% and can endure a high-pressure water impact of 30 kPa for 1 min without cracking. Compared to existing anti-icing coating methods, the core innovation of the fluorinated GPOSS-based coating developed in this study lies in its inorganic/organic composite structure, which simultaneously achieves high transparency, mechanical durability, and enhanced anti-icing performance. Full article

This study examines the efficacy of icephobic polyurethane nanocomposite coatings in mitigating corrosion on an aluminum substrate. A titanium-based conversion coating is applied to modify the substrate, and the research focuses on optimizing the dual functionalities of icephobicity and anticorrosion within the polyurethane coatings while ensuring strong substrate adhesion. The coatings are formulated using fluoropolyol, isocyanate, and silica nanoparticles treated with polydimethylsiloxane. Surface properties are analyzed using contact angles, contact angle hysteresis measurements, and atomic force microscopy, and the coatings’ icephobicity is evaluated through differential scanning calorimetry, freezing time delay, ice adhesion under impact and non-impact conditions, and ice accretion tests. The corrosion resistance and adhesive strength of the coatings are assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cross-cut tests, respectively. Increasing the concentration of silica nanoparticles to 10 wt.% increases contact angles to 167°, although the 4 wt.% coating produces the lowest contact angle hysteresis (3° ± 0.5°) and ice nucleation temperature (−23 °C). The latter coating is then applied to a substrate pretreated with a titanium/cerium-based conversion coating. This prepared surface maintains an ice adhesion of about 15 kPa after 15 icing/de-icing cycles and provides approximately 90 days of surface protection (|Z|_lf = 1.6 × 10⁹ Ω·cm²). Notably, the impedance value exceeds that of untreated substrates, underscoring the effectiveness of the titanium/cerium-based conversion coating in enhancing both corrosion resistance and coating adhesion to the substrate. Full article

The accumulation of ice on the aero-engine inlet compromises engine safety. Traditional hot air anti-icing systems, which utilize bleed air, require substantial energy, decreasing engine performance and increasing emissions. Superhydrophobic materials have shown potential in reducing energy consumption when combined with these systems. Research indicates that superhydrophobic surfaces on stationary components significantly reduce anti-icing energy consumption by altering runback water flow behavior. However, for rotating aero-engine components, the effectiveness of superhydrophobic surfaces and the influence of surface wettability on runback water flow remain unclear due to centrifugal and Coriolis forces. This study investigates the runback water flow behavior on aero-engine rotating spinner surfaces with varying wettabilities in a straight-flow spray wind tunnel. The results demonstrated that centrifugal force reduces the amount of runback water on the rotating spinner compared to the stationary surface, forming rivulet flows deflected opposite to the direction of rotation. Furthermore, wettability significantly affects the flow characteristics of runback water on rotating surfaces. As the contact angle increases, the liquid water on the rotating spinner transitions from continuous film flow to rivulet and bead-like flows. Notably, the superhydrophobic surface prevents water adhesion, indicating its potential for anti-icing on rotating components. In addition, the interaction between rotational speed and surface wettability enhances the effects, with both increased rotational speed and larger contact angles contributing to higher liquid water flow velocities, promoting the rapid formation and detachment of rivulet and bead-like flows. Full article

Carbon fiber powder (CFP) was first applied to conductive asphalt concrete as a conductive phase material, but its action mechanism has not been clarified. In this paper, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and molecular dynamics (MDs) simulation are used to study the carbon fiber powder mechanism of action, guide the preparation of conductive asphalt concrete, and study the electrothermal properties of conductive asphalt concrete. The results show that carbon fiber powder weakens the adhesion property of asphalt mastic, and this weakening further strengthens in the water–temperature coupling, so water stability and conductivity are used as evaluation indicators to determine that the optimal content of carbon fiber powder is 2.0% and that the optimal content of carbon fibers (CFs) is 0.4%. Carbon fiber–carbon fiber powder conductive asphalt concrete with a resistivity of 0.98 $\mathsf{\Omega }·\mathrm{m}$ was finally prepared. In the temperature rise test of the Marshall specimen and rutting slab, its warming effect is obvious, and the heat transformation rate is more than 75%, so it has a very good ability to melt snow and ice. Full article

Despite their effectiveness in preventing icing, hydrophobic coatings possess drawbacks such as susceptibility to detachment and limited wear resistance, leading to inadequate longevity in melting ice/snow. To enhance the surface stability and durability of superhydrophobic coatings, nanoparticle/epoxy formulations were developed using three types of nanoparticles, two dispersion techniques, three application methods, and two epoxy resin introduction approaches. Testing encompassed water contact angle measurements, assessment of ice adhesion force, and determination of icing rates on asphalt concrete coated with these hydrophobic formulations. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to analyze the molecular structures of the coatings, while scanning electron microscopy facilitated observation of the surface morphology of the hydrophobic coatings. The findings indicated that nano-ZnO, TiO₂, and SiO₂ particles could be modified into hydrophobic forms using stearic acid. Application of the hydrophobic coating improved the concrete’s hydrophobicity, reduced ice adhesion strength on both concrete and asphalt, and delayed the onset of icing. Furthermore, optimal dosages of stearic acid, nanoparticles, and epoxy resin were identified as crucial parameters within specific ranges to ensure the optimal hydrophobicity and durability of the coatings. Full article

Wind turbines in cold and humid regions face significant icing challenges. Heating is considered an efficient strategy to prevent ice accretion over the turbine’s blade surface. An ice protection system is required to minimize freezing of the runback water at the back of the blade and the melting state of the ice on the blade; the law of re-freezing of the runback water is necessary for the design of wind turbine de-icing systems. In this paper, a wind tunnel test was conducted to investigate the de-icing process of a static heated blade under various rime icing conditions. Ice shapes of different thicknesses were obtained by spraying water at 5 m/s, 10 m/s, and 15 m/s. The spray system was turned off and different heating fluxes were applied to heat the blade. The de-icing state and total energy consumption were explored. When de-icing occurred in a short freezing time, the ice layer became thin, and runback water flowed out (pattern I). With an increase in freezing time at a low wind speed, the melting ice induced by the dominant action of inertial force moved backward due to the reduction in adhesion between the ice and blade surface (pattern II). As wind speed increased, it exhibited various de-icing states, including refreezing at the trailing edge (pattern III) and ice shedding (pattern IV). The total energy consumption of ice melting decreased as the heat flux increased and the ice melting time shortened. At 5 m/s, when the heat flux was q = 14 kW/m², the energy consumption at E_A at t_δ = 1 min, 5 min, and 7 min were 0.33 kJ, 0.55 kJ, and 0.61 kJ, respectively. At 10 m/s, when the heat flux was q = 14 kW/m², the energy consumption at E_A at t_δ = 1 min, 3 min, and 5 min were 0.77 kJ, 0.81 kJ, and 0.80 kJ, respectively. Excessive heat flow density increased the risk of the return water freezing; thus, the reference de-icing heat fluxes of 5 m/s and 10 m/s were 10 kW/m² and 12 kW/m², respectively. This paper provides an effective reference for wind turbine de-icing. Full article

Ice is a very unusual material that can not be explained by the basic physics of adhesion and friction when the ice contacts other solid materials. Several studies are being conducted to reduce resistance due to friction with sea ice during the design and construction of icebreakers that break sea ice and operate. However, fundamental studies on the frictional phenomenon of ice are very lacking because not only the frictional behavior is different depending on the shape of the hull, the coating condition, the ice state, and the speed of the ship, but also it is difficult to test and measure in actual sea areas. In this study, a test method for frictional force and coefficient using ice was introduced to accurately estimate the frictional resistance of icebreakers. The frictional characteristics of model ice and freshwater ice on various rough plates were investigated, and the frictional behavior under various test conditions was measured and evaluated. In particular, the friction change according to the difference in material and the roughness change in the same material, and the friction behavior according to the test conditions were measured. Test results show that the frictional coefficient of ice depends on the material of the plate, the roughness of the plates, lubrication conditions, and ice types. In addition, the tribological behavior of ice on rough surfaces is greatly influenced by the height characteristics parameters as well as the amplitude parameters of the roughness. Full article

Aiming at the maladies of high labor intensity, the low efficiency of ice and snow removal, and environmental pollution in traditional ice-deicing and snow-melting methods, we successfully developed a material that can effectively reduce the adhesive force between ice and snow with the pavement, aimed at the characteristics of the road ice de-icing and snow melting. According to the evaluation index and method of de-icing performance, we determined the ratio of the three components of the film-forming component, the adhesive component, the modified ice suppression component, and the preparation technology. It has no perfect evaluation index and method for the viscosity-reducing and ice-defending materials at present, this paper further evaluates the performance of the viscosity-reducing and ice-defending materials from the aspects of ice-deicing performance, durability, and environmental performance. The results show that the viscosity-reducing and ice-defending material has good permeability and water resistance. The material still has good ice-deicing performance after seven rounds of cycle tests at the same time, indicating that it has a good slow-release performance. It is verified that the viscosity-reducing and ice-defending materials have good durability using the low-temperature accelerated test. Finally, from the analysis and evaluation of the environmental protection performance of the viscosity-reducing and ice-defending materials, the materials have no effect on the growth of plants and their average corrosion rate is much lower than the average corrosion rate of the snow melting test piece, which means that the viscosity-reducing and ice-defending materials have good environmental performance. Full article

The development of a durable and green icephobic coating plays a vital role in the aviation industry due to the adverse impact of ice formation on aircraft performance. The lack of study into how temperature and surface roughness impact icephobicity is the main problem with present icephobic coatings. This study aims to qualitatively evaluate the icephobicity performance of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) solid lubricant film, as an environmentally friendly solution, with a custom-built push-off test device in different icing conditions utilizing a wind tunnel. The ice-adhesion reduction factor (ARF) of the film has been assessed in comparison to a bare aluminium substrate (Al 6061). The impact of surface energy was investigated by comparing the water contact angle (WCA), the contact angle hysteresis (CAH), and the pull-off force of the PTFE solid lubricant and Al with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The results of ice shear adhesion on the PTFE solid lubricant film showed a significant reduction in the ice adhesion force at various substrate temperatures and surface roughness compared to the bare aluminium substrate. The difference in the ice adhesion between the solid lubricant and aluminium alloy was attributed to the differences in the detachment mechanism. For the PTFE-based solid lubricant, the interfacial detachment mechanism was based on the formation of interfacial blisters towards the centre of the ice. Consequently, upon continued application of the shear force, most of the energy injected would be distributed throughout the blisters, ultimately causing detachment. In the comparison of ice adhesion on PTFE solid lubricant and bare aluminium, the film showed minimal ice adhesion at −6 °C with an adhesion force of 40 N (ARF 3.41). For temperature ranges between −2 °C and −10 °C, the ice adhesion for bare aluminium was measured at roughly 150 N. Full article

In this study, the de-icing performance is investigated between traditional carbon fibre-based coatings and novel MXene and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (PEDOT-CNT) nanocoatings, based on simple and scalable coating application. The thickness and morphology of the coatings are investigated using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Adhesion strength, as well as electrical properties, are evaluated on rough and glossy surfaces of the composite. The flexibility and electrical sensitivity of the coatings are studied under three-point bending. Additionally, the influence of ambient temperature on coating’s electrical resistance is investigated. Finally, thermal imaging and Joule heating are analysed with high-accuracy infrared cameras. Under the same power density, the increase in average temperature is 84% higher for MXenes and 117% for PEDOT-CNT, when compared with fibre-based coatings. Furthermore, both nanocoatings result in up to three times faster de-icing. These easily processable nanocoatings offer fast and efficient de-icing for large composite structures such as wind turbine blades without adding any significant weight. Full article

A series of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) were prepared by emulsion polymerization in order to obtain a PSA that meet with the current label market requirements. For it, the effect of the incorporation of acrylonitrile (ACN) as hard monomer was investigated in a n-butyl acrylate (n-BA) and acrylic acid (AA) system. Great differences were found in the adhesive performance according to the ACN weight ratio. Its increased resulted in a considerable rise in the average sol molecular weight and in the glass transition temperature. This was reflected in a decrease of adhesion forces (peel resistance and tack) and an increase of the cohesion forces (shear resistance). Moreover, the incorporation of the minimum amount of ACN studied showed a great change in the elastic modulus determined by dynamic shear resistance with respect to the based formulation that did not contain ACN. Finally, the ice bucket test was carried out to check the adhesive performance in cold and wet environments. Full article

Icings on moving machinery, such as wind turbines and aircraft wings, degrade their performance and safety. Ultrasonic vibration is considered one of the deicing methods. In this research, simulations and experiments are carried out to explore the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the adhesive characteristic of ice on aluminum alloy plates. Harmonic response analyses are conducted to analyze the changing and distributions of shear stresses at the adhesive interface under different frequencies and sizes of PZT patches. The results show that there is optimum side length and thickness of the PZT patch, as the size of the iced aluminum alloy plate is constant. In these conditions, the shear stresses at the adhesive interface are high. Then, experiments on adhesive torque of ice are carried out to calculate the adhesive shear stresses of ice. The results show that the adhesive force of ice decreases under the excitation of ultrasonic vibration. When the excited frequency is 79 kHz, the adhesive torsional shear stress is 0.014 MPa, which is only 7% of the one with no ultrasonic vibration. Full article

Kinetic characteristics of thermal energy storage (TES) using tetrabutylammonium acrylate (TBAAc) hydrate were experimentally evaluated for practical use as PCMs. Mechanical agitation or ultrasonic vibration was added to detach the hydrate adhesion on the heat exchanger, which could be a thermal resistance. The effect of the external forces also was evaluated by changing their rotation rate and frequency. When the agitation rate was 600 rpm, the system achieved TES density of 140 MJ/m³ in 2.9 h. This value is comparable to the ideal performance of ice TES when its solid phase fraction is 45%. UA/V (U: thermal transfer coefficient, A: surface area of the heat exchange coil, V: volume of the TES medium) is known as an index of the ease of heat transfer in a heat exchanger. UA/V obtained in this study was comparable to that of other common heat exchangers, which means the equivalent performance would be available by setting the similar UA/V. In this study, we succeeded in obtaining practical data for heat storage by TBAAc hydrate. The data obtained in this study will be a great help for the practical application of hydrate heat storage in the future. Full article

Due to the stochastic and time-dependent character of the ice embryo formation and growth (i.e., a process that can be analyzed statistically, but cannot be predicted precisely), the heterogeneous ice nucleation on atmospheric aerosols or macroscopic solid surfaces is still shrouded in mystery, regardless of the extremely active research and exponential progress within this scientific field. For instance, whether the icing appears from outside-in or inside-out is a subject of intense controversy, with practicability in designing passive icephobic coatings or improving the effectiveness of the cryopreservation technologies. Here, we propose an artful technique for quantitative analysis of the different modes of water freezing using super-nonwettable soot-coated quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs). To achieve this goal, a set of 5 MHz QCMs are loaded one at a time with a 50 μL droplet, whose bulk or contour solidification is detected in real-time. The obtained experimental results show that our sensor devices recognize explicitly if the ice nuclei form predominantly at the liquid–solid interface or spread along the droplet’s entire outer shell by triggering individual reproducible responses in terms of the direction of signal evolution in time. Our results may serve as a foundation for the future incorporation of QCM devices in different freezing assays, where gaining information about the ice adhesion forces and ice layer’s thickness is mandatory. Full article

Ice accretion can cause problems on polar ships, ocean platforms, and in other marine industries. It is important to understand the interface debonding behavior between ice and the surface of equipment. In this work, we created a mechanical model to analyze the interface debonding behavior between a square-based ice cuboid and an elastic coating base, using contact mechanics and fracture mechanics. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) simulation was used to simulate the interface debonding for normal and shear separation. A bilinear cohesive zone model (CZM) was used to simulate the interface between the ice cuboid and the elastic coating. We investigated the effect of the elastic modulus E of an elastic film on the critical detachment force F_c for normal and shear separation. The results showed that F_c increases with an increase of the elastic modulus of the elastic film. When E exceeds a certain level, F_c achieves a constant value and then remains stable. Finally, a series of epoxy/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) interpenetrating polymer-network (IPN) gel coatings with different elastic moduli were prepared. The ice tensile and shear adhesion strengths (σ_ice and τ_ice) of the coatings were measured. The results were roughly consistent with the results of the numerical simulation when E < 1 MPa. Full article