Anti-Icing Performance of a Coating Based on Nano/Microsilica Particle-Filled Amino-Terminated PDMS-Modified Epoxy

Coatings with anti-icing performance possess hydrophobicity and low ice adhesion strength, which delay ice formation and make ice removal easier. In this paper, the anti-icing performance of nano/microsilica particle-filled amino-terminated PDMS (A-PDMS)-modified epoxy coatings was investigated. In the process, the influence of the addition of A-PDMS on the hydrophobicity and ice adhesion strength was investigated. Furthermore, the influences of various weight ratios of nanosilica/microsilica (Rn/m) on the hydrophobicity and ice adhesion strength of the coating were investigated. Hydrophobicity was evaluated by contact angle (CA) and contact angle hysteresis (CAH) tests. Ice adhesion strength was measured by a centrifugal adhesion test. The addition of A-PDMS markedly increased hydrophobicity and decreased ice adhesion. The size combination of particles obviously affects hydrophobicity but has little effect on ice adhesion. Finally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to reveal the anti-icing mechanism of the coatings.