A comprehensive experimental design for regulating CFRP surface wettability to improve anti-icing properties

The comprehensive experimental design plays a pivotal role in university-level engineering education. Integrating scientific research outcomes into experimental teaching has been demonstrated to both deepen students’ understanding of theoretical concepts and enhance their ability to tackle real-world engineering problems. Surface wettability is a key material property, and achieving precise control over it is imperative for expanding the functional applications of materials. However, current processing techniques encounter substantial challenges in facilitating rapid and precise wettability modulation.

In this comprehensive experiment, hierarchical micro/nanostructures were successfully fabricated on carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP) through one-step nanosecond laser irradiation, enabling rapid and precise manipulation of surface wettability. The resulting microstructural features were characterized using a scanning electron microscope and a laser scanning confocal microscope. Surface chemical composition was analyzed via an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope. The static contact angles of both the original and laser-irradiated surfaces were measured using a contact angle goniometer. The anti-icing performance of the superhydrophobic surfaces was quantitatively evaluated using a contact angle measurement system in conjunction with a cold table simulator.

The experimental findings demonstrated that by modulating the laser power, a variety of surface micro/nanostructures were generated, concomitant to alterations in surface chemical composition. Consequently, CFRP surfaces with tunable wettability, ranging from hydrophilic to hydrophobic and superhydrophobic, were achieved. When the laser power, scanning speed, and scanning pitch were fixed at 12 W, 30 mm/s, and 30 μm, respectively, a superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle of 160.1° was successfully fabricated. The surface demonstrated a substantial enhancement in its anti-icing capabilities, exhibiting an icing delay time of 347 s, which signifies a 101.7% improvement compared to the original surface.

This innovative experimental design has resulted in the development of a cost-effective and flexible surface engineering technique, offering a practical approach for undergraduate teaching environments that are limited in resources. Integration of material characterization, processing parameter design, and performance evaluation constitutes an effective pedagogical approach that cultivates students’ interdisciplinary problem-solving skills and reinforces their understanding of advanced manufacturing and surface engineering principles.