Fabrication of Highly Water-Repellent Surface on AISI 304 Stainless Steel Substrate Using Combination of Laser Surface Texturing and Candle Soot

Abstract

AISI 304 stainless steel is an iron alloy that resists corrosion but its high wettability makes them vulnerable to corrosion in humid conditions. Superhydrophobic surfaces are having excellent corrosion resistance, self-cleaning, and bacterial properties. In this work, superhydrophobic surfaces are fabricated in three stages. Firstly, circular and triangular microhole patterns were created with p/d ratios 2.0 and 1.5, respectively, using laser surface texturing upon stainless steel substrates. In the second stage, paraffin wax has been applied manually upon the textured surfaces followed by heating at 60° in a hot air oven for uniform and proper deposition of wax on the textured pattern. Finally, superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated using candle soot on wax deposited surface. The fabricated superhydrophobic surfaces are showing excellent water repellency and self-cleaning properties with a roll-off angle of less than 6°. The surface characterization and morphology of coated surfaces are investigated using a high-resolution microscope, and stability of the coated superhydrophobic surfaces is examined using wettability and tape peeling test. This fabrication technique of a superhydrophobic surface is very simple, eco-friendly, and economical. Due to its very good surface properties, it has potential for practical applications in industries.KeywordsSuperhydrophobicSelf-cleaningAISI 304Laser texturingCandle soot