The effect of modification of gelcoat based on unsaturated polyester resin with polysiloxanes on icephobicity, hydrophobicity and durability

Abstract

Ice accumulation on aerodynamic surfaces is a well-known aspect in various industries, including wind turbines. Many solutions have been developed for several years to deal with this problem, but until now no suitable and energy-sufficient method available for industrial applications has been found. A potential solution is using hydrophobic and/or icephobic coatings, which would allow one to reduce ice adhesion to surfaces. In this study, modifications of a gelcoat based on unsaturated polyester resin with in-house synthesized polysiloxanes dual-functionalized with allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) and hexyl (HEX) or octyl (OCT) groups were used. Most of the chemical modifications used resulted in an increase in surface hydrophobicity (an increase in water contact angle and a decrease in contact angle hysteresis) and an improvement in icephobicity - a reduction in ice adhesion. The lowest ice adhesion achieved a value equal to 221 kPa (the decrease in ice adhesion was 36 % compared to the unmodified surface). The highest water contact angle exhibited a value of 96 °C. Furthermore, correlations were observed between roughness/wettability and ice adhesion: as roughness and wettability decrease, ice adhesion is reduced. The study also determined the durability of the produced surfaces after 100 icing/deicing cycles and the zeta potential surface.