Anti-Icing Performance of Base Formulations for Coatings for Aeronautical Applications

Icing on surfaces presents a significant challenge across various technological fields, with added weight and operational interference impacting aircraft wings, wind turbine blades, and electrical equipment. While electrothermal methods effectively accelerate ice melting through the Joule effect, their substantial cost and energy consumption necessitate careful consideration. In the past two decades, anti-icing and icephobic coatings have garnered significant interest due to advancements in nanomaterials and a deeper understanding of ice nucleation and adhesion. These coatings are designed to prevent water droplet adhesion, delay freezing, and/or reduce ice adhesion, without the need for additional energy. Moreover, the combination of active Ice Protection Systems with passive coatings could prevent ice formation with an improved energy efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. Aligned with this aim, this study focuses on the development of anti-icing coatings, detailing the selection and characterization of the materials used in the coating formulations, including their chemical and physical properties. Subsequently, the experimental results are presented and analyzed, focusing on the characterization and anti-icing performance of the fabricated coatings through a series of tests. Finally, it concludes with a discussion of the key findings, useful for the formulation of advanced anti-icing coatings mainly for aeronautical applications.