Adhesion of ice to a flexible substrate

Abstract

The adhesion of ice to a flexible substrate, polyurethane elastomer, has been studied using the Andrews-Stevenson test procedure which involves the pressurization to failure of an enclosed interfacial crack. The temperature, rate of pressurization and substrate layer thickness were varied and the failure energy (critical energy release rate) determined. If energy release from the flexible substrate is ignored an apparent failure energy is obtained which first increases and then decreases as the layer thickness rises from zero to 4 ram. This thickness effect results in a large variation in the pressure needed to produce failure, and is thus important in relation to the ice-release properties of the substrate. It is shown that the thickness effect can be explained quantitatively in terms of the energy release from the flexible substrate, which, in turn, depends on its visco-elastic properties. The true failure energy is derived and is also found to corre!ate with the visco-elastic response of the rubber. Finally, these ideas are used to explain the effects of rate and temperature on the conditions of failure.

Étude de l adhérence de la glace sur des solides à caractère glaciophobe

“…Cette diminution serait en effet causée par l'augmentation de bulles d'air à l'interface glace/revêtement. Les caractéristiques viscoélastiques du substrat pourraient également influencer l'adhérence mécanique de la glace (Andrews, H. A., et al, 1984). L'adhérence de la glace diminuant sur un substrat flexible (Landy, M., 1967).…”

Adhesion and Deadhesion

“…A possible low-contamination pull-to-limit stud pull test might be developed using ice as the bonding agent [111] [112] instead of an epoxy glue. Ice adheres well to surfaces and on melting would leave little contamination.…”

Factors affecting the adhesion of ice to polymer substrates

“…stressed a correlation of sessile drop CAs or surface free energy in determining ice adhesion. This group used the Andrews/Lockinton test and found an increase in the ice adhesion strength (ice adhesion parameter) and a change from adhesive to cohesive failure after subjecting polypropylene to air/corona oxidation. The surface free energy correlation was supported by a decrease in sessile drop CA from 108° to 77° along with an increase in the ice adhesion parameter from 0.72 to 3.42.…”