The effect of mechanical and thermal stresses on the performance of lubricated icephobic coatings during cyclic icing/deicing tests

Evaluating the performance of icephobic coatings interests various industries, such as aviation, maritime, energy, and transportation. Recent developments on icephobic coatings have consistently highlighted the need for durable icephobic surfaces in cold conditions. This study investigates the icing performance and durability of lubricated polymer coatings under cyclic icing/deicing tests. Coatings were made of polyethylene and a solid lubricant and manufactured using flame spray technology. Icing was performed by accreting ice in an icing wind tunnel. Deicing was conducted by removing ice with a centrifugal ice adhesion tester. Surface properties, such as surface morphology, roughness, wettability and chemical composition, were measured before and after the cyclic tests. The results showed stable icephobic behaviour for some coatings, while the performance of others decreased over the cycles. The cyclic tests caused mechanical damage to the surfaces, producing erosion, scratches and, for some coatings, surface cracks. These defects resulted in increased surface roughness and reduced hydrophobicity. However, no chemical changes were revealed for any of the surfaces. Moreover, the causes of cracks were attributed to the difference in thermal expansion behaviour of substrate and coating materials. This result highlights the importance of materials and process parameters selection in flame sprayed coatings designed for cold applications.