Self-assembling PTFE coating for effective mass de-icing

Electrostatic gravitational self-assembly methods have been successfully used to fabricate thin PTFE coatings, which could be a promising material for large-scale de-icing.

Ice accumulation is detrimental to the safety of transmission lines, aircraft and buildings, and may also lead to economic losses. In this study, a thin polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating was prepared on an aluminum substrate by an electrostatic attraction self-assembly technique and is proposed for large-scale de-icing. Shear F ice analysis for de-icing and associated ice adhesion was performed, and the interfacial toughness between the solid ice interfaces was also measured. In addition, the surface morphology, wettability of PTFE-coated aluminum sheets was characterized.

Promising materials for large-scale de-icing
The critical bond length L c between the ice and the PTFE-coated surface was observed to be about 2.85 cm. when the bond length L is greater than this value, the shear force of the melted ice can be kept constant at about 50 N during the first de-icing cycle. starting from the second de-icing cycle, the constant shear force increases to 70 N and remains constant for at least ten cycles. At the same time, the surface roughness and water contact angle increase with the loss of PTFE nanoparticles during the icing and de-icing process.

Eventually, an ice layer with dimensions of 98 cm × 96 cm × 1 cm (l × w × h) was formed on the surface of the PTFE-coated aluminum substrate to demonstrate its rupture and shedding under the weight of ice.