Robust superhydrophobic aluminum alloy surfaces with anti-icing ability, thermostability, and mechanical durability

In this study, we develop an efficient approach to fabricate superhydrophobic aluminum alloy samples. The superhydrophobic aluminum alloy sample is prepared by combining high-speed wire electrical discharge machining, a short-time chemical etching method, with a modification treatment. The prepared superhydrophobic aluminum sample possesses a contact angle of 158.6 +/- 1.3 degrees and a sliding angle of below 1 degrees. The introduction of chemical etching can shorten the preparation time from 20 to 8 h. The prepared superhydrophobic aluminum alloy sample is durable enough to endure the harsh conditions to which some aluminum alloy parts are subjected. Its excellent anti-icing ability is confirmed by the freezing delay test and low-temperature durability test under overcooled conditions. In addition, the prepared superhydrophobic aluminum alloy sample shows superior thermostability and high-temperature durability in the range of 180 similar to 240 degrees C. Moreover, the prepared superhydrophobic aluminum alloy sample exhibits outstanding mechanical durability that can endure abrasion by 1000-grit sandpaper at 20 kPa for 260 cm. It also can withstand 11 vertical impacts by 200 g weight dropped from 12 cm with the weight falling on the sample at a rate of similar to 15.50 cm/s. The introduction of the chemical etching greatly shortens the preparation time and the as-prepared superhydrophobic aluminum alloy sample exhibited excellent durability, which may widen the application range of superhydrophobic aluminum alloys.