Protective coatings to prevent ice build-up on steel port structures

Currently, winds and tides are the main parameters that are taken into consideration in port infrastructure design. However, a series of factors, including ice and snow, also have a considerable effect on these infrastructures. Ice build-up on ships and other steel equipment is responsible for the degradation of port infrastructures that are in permanent contact with water. Thus, finding a solution to protect these materials has generated a wave of research studies in this field, hence the technical relevance of this project. Several de-icing methods were used in this study. In particular, electro-thermal and chemical methods, which had been abandoned due to their high implementation costs, short lifespan, and ensuing environmental impacts. ?Another major problem that these infrastructures often face is corrosion. This phenomenon leads to a modification in the materials, especially in their functional properties. In order to limit degradation of materials due to corrosion and ice build-up, an interesting solution would be to develop and apply superhydrophobic and ice-phobic coatings to exposed equipment, that would both prevent ice adherence and material corrosion. A superhydrophobic surface is a surface that has a contact angle with water of at least 150°. These syperhydrophobic films also increase steel alloys’ resistance to corrosion. Syperhydrophobic coatings are a promising technology in order to increase metal anti-corrosion performance, as it considerably decreases a surface’s contact with water, and environmental humidity. The aim of this project - a collaboration between UQAC and INREST - is to develop an ice-phobic and anti-corrosive coating that can preserve and reduce damage to port infrastructures. This presentation will focus on the first steps of this research