Technology status and research trend of low-ice-adhesion anti-icing andde-icing coatings

Icing is universal in nature, whose formation and accumulation can cause many safety problems to aerospace, naval transportation, electric power systems, energy facilities etc. Research on anti-icing and de-icing materials and technologies to enhance the ability to respond to ice disasters is of great significance to daily life, industrial production, and national defense and military industry. Low-ice-adhesion anti-icing and de-icing coatings have a promising future as they can significantly reduce the ice adhesion on surface through the properties of themselves, allowing ice to be removed by wind or gravity. In this paper, first, the principles of formation and classification of ice were introduced. Secondly, the research progress of theoretical simulation of low-ice-adhesion anti-icing and de-icing coatings was summarized through different length scales, such as nano and micrometers. After that, different types of coatings, like superhydrophobic coatings, liquid-infused surface coatings, low modulus elastomer coatings, macro-crack initiator coatings and low-interfacial-toughness coatings, were introduced by different mechanisms of reducing ice adhesion, focusing on the de-icing mechanisms and preparation methods. What's more, the evaluation indicators and test methods of ice adhesion were reviewed in this paper, and the advantages and disadvantages of various ice adhesion strength test methods were expounded. Finally, some prospect for the future of low-ice-adhesion anti-icing and de-icing coatings was given by this paper.