Bioinspired robust top-perforated micro-conical array of TC4 surface fabricated by pulsed laser ablation for enhanced anti-icing property

The poor wear performance of passive anti-icing micro/nano-structured TC4 surface restricts its wide applications in engineering field. Interestingly, it was observed that microstructure of sled dog hair exhibits a low-temperature-adaptive property to keep away from ice accumulation by the perforations located in the center of the hair shaft and the cuticle of lobster claw reveals extraordinary mechanical strength with micro-porous structures. In this work, bioinspired topperforated micro-conical array structure is proposed on TC4 surfaces compatible with anti-icing property and mechanical durability. The microstructured unit is composed of a micro-conical frustum and a perforated micro-hole on the top, which could be fabricated on TC4 via direct nanosecond ultraviolet laser processing. The delayed freezing time of the water droplet on the bioinspired surface can be significantly extended by 18 times, exhibiting excellent superhydrophobicity with WCAs exceeding 164 degrees. Meanwhile, the bioinspired anti-icing surface shows excellent wear resistance by both abrasion and water impinging tests, where the delayed freezing time does not obviously decrease after 30 mins' continuous water impinging. The top-perforation of the micro-conical could enhance the anti-icing property and durability simultaneously and the results were explained based on finite element analysis. The proposed bioinspired TC4 structure fabricated by pulsed laser ablation has great engineering potentials in extremely cold and humid environments. [GRAPHICS] .