Aluminium and its alloys are widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries due to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, their susceptibility to corrosion in chloride-rich environments necessitates effective protection strategies. One promising approach is the development of superhydrophobic surfaces, which exhibit extreme water repellency (contact angle >150°) by combining hierarchical surface structures with low-surface-energy materials.[1,2]
This study aimed to enhance corrosion resistance and anti-icing properties by integrating laser surface structuring with stearic acid grafting. Different laser structuring parameters (selected scanning line spacings) were explored to optimize surface roughness before applying a stearic acid coating. Surface morphology, wettability, and roughness were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, a contact profilometer, and a goniometer. Corrosion resistance was evaluated via electrochemical testing in 0.1 M NaCl, while the anti-icing effect and droplet-bouncing behaviour were assessed.
Results demonstrated that the optimal laser parameter (scanning line spacing) combined with stearic acid grafting significantly improved corrosion resistance and water repellency. This method offers a cost-effective, scalable approach for enhancing aluminium surfaces, making it suitable for applications requiring improved durability and anti-icing performance.
References:
[1] A. Bahgat Radwan, A.M. Abdullah, N.A. Alnuaimi, Recent advances in corrosion resistant superhydrophobic coatings, Corros. Rev. 36 (2018) 127–153. https://doi.org/10.1515/corrrev-2017-0012.
[2] P. Rodič, N. Kovač, S. Kralj, S. Jereb, I. Golobič, M. Može, I. Milošev, Anti-corrosion and anti-icing properties of superhydrophobic laser-textured aluminum surfaces, Surf. Coat. Technol. 494 (2024) 131325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2024.131325
Acknowledgements: The financial support from the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS) research core funding No. P2-0393, P1-0134, and P2-0223, and through the ARIS project, L2-60141, is acknowledged.
