Influence of laser surface texturing on a low‐adhesion and superhydrophobic aluminium alloy surface

Abstract

An aluminium alloy surface with a microgroove array was fabricated via laser processing, and exhibited superhydrophobicity. The as-prepared surface showed excellent anti-adhesion properties and potential self-cleaning behaviour. The wettability of the fabricated surface was investigated by measurement of the water contact angle. The surface morphology and chemical composition were characterised by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The wettability of the surface was successfully modified from hydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity by the laser processing. The water contact angle was increased to 155°, and the sliding angle reduced to <5°, without any chemical modification. Water droplets on the surface existed in an almost perfectly suspended state, resembling a model Cassie state. The superhydrophobic surface showed excellent stability under conditions of external extrusion. This easy and inexpensive modification method is expected to play an important role in extending the applications of aluminium alloys.

Tuning the Wettability of a High-Strength Aluminum Alloy Using a Picosecond Laser and Stearic Acid Coating

“…Accordingly, the superhydrophobicity of the lotus surface is related to the surface morphology and topography, indicating that the key to varying the wetting state of a surface is to modify surface roughness [4]. The features of superhydrophobic surfaces can be used to improve the performance of new technology through corrosion prevention, [5] self-cleaning [4], antiicing [6], enhancing heat transfer [7], and chemical sensing [8][9][10]. The reported techniques and methods used to mimic the microstructure found in nature on the metal surface include the following: a femtosecond laser [11], anodization [12], an electrospray [13], photolithography [14,15], physical/chemical deposition [16], chemical etching [17], electrochemical etching [18,19], and pico/nanosecond laser devices.…”

Superhydrophobic Copper Surface Textured by Laser for Delayed Icing Phenomenon

“…Our research group has long been committed to the study of functional surfaces of metals. By electrodeposition of nickel, laser etching, , and electroplating of copper on the surface of aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, and copper, we have obtained structures with various scales and morphology and measured the wettability and corrosion resistance at various temperatures. Based on that established research foundation, this paper adopts the laser texturing method to process copper surfaces by constructing an optimal biomimetic morphology and structure.…”