Polyurethane-based ice-shedding coatings

Abstract

Winter icing can adversely impact transportation systems (aircrafts, drones, trains, etc.), infrastructure, and energy systems, among many other things. Existing ice-shedding coatings generally suffer from low durability under various mechanical, chemical, and environmental stresses. The polyurethane-based, stress-localized ice-shedding coatings described herein present a novel material paradigm to develop highly durable ice-shedding coatings capable of withstanding harsh aerospace and other industrial conditions. By optimizing the chemical composition and processing of the coating, a uniform, highly durable, polyurethane-based ice-shedding coating has been achieved that can be applied to a variety of surfaces. These coatings have been comprehensively tested, including ice adhesion strength measurements, ice-shedding capabilities in an icing wind tunnel, and a set of mechanical, chemical and environmental durability tests. These ice-shedding surfaces promise a feasible approach to address long-standing icing problems in aircrafts, drones, off-shore wind-turbines and other types of equipment and infrastructure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.