Impact of Crosslinking Density on Water Absorption and Ice Adhesion in Polyurethane Coatings

Ice accumulation on surfaces presents challenges in aerospace, marine, and industrial applications. This study investigates the development of polyurethane-based icephobic coatings formulated using an acrylic polyol (G-CURE ۱۷-۰۱۰۵) and an aliphatic polyisocyanate (DesmodurⓇ N ۷۵ BA) at stoichiometric (PU-S) and non-stoichiometric (PU-NS) ratios. FTIR analysis confirmed complete curing in PU-S, while PU-NS retained free hydroxyl groups, increasing water absorption and promoting quasi-liquid layer (QLL) formation. Contact angle measurements indicated hydrophilic behavior in both coatings, with PU-NS exhibiting greater water affinity, enhancing its anti-icing properties. Ice adhesion tests showed a significant reduction in adhesion strength for PU-NS due to the lubricating effect of the QLL. These findings emphasize the influence of crosslinking density on icephobic performance, providing insights for designing coatings with optimized hydrophilicity for extreme environments.

کلیدواژه ها:

Icephobic Coatings ، Polyurethane (PU) Coatings ، Crosslinking Density ، Ice Adhesion Reduction ، Quasi-Liquid Layer (QLL)