Preparation and performance study of highly durable silicone rubber superhydrophobic surfaces

Abstract

Superhydrophobic coatings are widely applied in aerospace and other fields to address issues such as surface drag reduction, anti-icing, and corrosion resistance. Due to the poor durability and unstable performance encountered in the application of most superhydrophobic coatings, we have combined the template method with the spray method to prepare a superhydrophobic surface with excellent durability. Experimental results demonstrate that the contact angle and sliding angle of the prepared surface reached 160.9° and 2.5°, respectively. Importantly, even after undergoing tests such as high-load sandpaper abrasion, tape peeling, and high-speed steel ball impact, the surface maintained outstanding hydrophobic performance. Furthermore, the surface exhibited not only excellent chemical corrosion resistance and self-cleaning effects but also, after experiencing high-load mechanical wear, extended the ice formation delay time to 201 seconds compared to a silicone rubber surface. This study employed a simple and environmentally friendly preparation process, providing robust guidance for the theoretical analysis and practical operation of designing and preparing superhydrophobic surfaces with outstanding durability.