Study on the Anti‐Icing and Tribological Properties of SiO ₂ ‐Modified PTFE ‐ WS ₂ / PI ‐ PAI Polymer Coatings at Low Temperature

ABSTRACT To enhance the anti‐icing and wear resistance of high‐speed rail pantograph sliding blocks in low‐temperature environments, three PTFE‐WS ₂ /PI‐PAI composite coatings with varying SiO ₂ contents were developed and applied to 5A06 aluminum alloy. The coating with 4 wt% SiO ₂ (S2) achieved a water contact angle of 138° and demonstrated excellent anti‐icing performance, reducing icing by 85.29% at −10°C and 87.31% at −20°C. S2 exhibited the lowest friction coefficients (0.174 at −10°C, 0.157 at −20°C) and wear rates (1.74 × 10 ⁻⁸ and 1.42 × 10 ⁻⁸ mm ³ N ⁻¹ m ⁻¹ ). The anti‐icing performance is indicated by ice accumulation on the coated surface. A larger water contact angle enhances hydrophobicity, improving anti‐icing performance. In addition, the transfer film of the polymer can enhance lubrication and improve wear resistance. S2 demonstrates exceptional anti‐icing and tribological properties, making it an ideal coating for enhancing the durability and performance of pantograph sliders in low‐temperature applications.