Controllable preparation of wear-resistant superhydrophobic surfaces fabricated with square column microstructures

The surface fabricated with arrays of square columns microstructures are controllably prepared on the alloy structural steel substrate by using wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) technology and combined with the low surface energy treatment to achieve superhydrophobicity. The effect of the structural parameters of microstructures on wettability are further investigated. The results indicate that with the increase of the square column width, the static contact angle decreases, and the rolling angle increases. When the height of the square column is greater than the critical height, its change has relatively little effect on the wettability. Moreover, the as-prepared surface was demonstrated by a stable superhydrophobicity after abrasion.