Relevance to safety and the energy sector has resulted in measurements of ice adhesion using custom designed test equipment that is generally complex and expensive. Interest in fundamental understanding of the ice-polymer interface and the development of polymer coatings from which ice can be easily removed presented the challenge of developing a straightforward laboratory test for the force to remove ice. To establish a method for evaluating ice adhesion a test employing a TA Instruments RSA-3 was developed. The method involves removal of an ice cylinder from a polymer coating with a probe and the determination of peak removal force (Ps). Initially, this test method was explored using coatings comprised of the prototypical glassy polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate). Surface roughness and probe placement have been identified as critical test variables affecting peak removal force. The new test constitutes a platform for investigating fundamental surface characteristics affecting ice adhesion. Using this test, hybrid coatings based on fluorous polyoxetanes and poly(dimethylsiloxane) have been investigated. A typical result is shown in Figure 1. Contributions to ice adhesion based on nanosurface (~ 1 nm), mesosurface (~1000 nm) and microstructure (bulk) have been identified.

Adhesion of ice to polymer surfaces: Insights on physical and mechanical properties favoring easy release from a new laboratory test

248th National Meeting (2014)

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