Experimental debate on the overlooked fundamental concepts in surface wetting and topography vs. ice adhesion...

Relating surface characteristics (especially wetting and topography) and ice adhesion strength (IAS) have a long history. Several wetting parameters correlated with IAS have been introduced. However, subsequent efforts to repeat these correlations have produced contradictory results. A comprehensive literature survey on this topic reveals significant shortcomings in applying appropriate wetting and topography fundamental concepts and techniques. Inaccurate arguments are seen to be utilized in establishing wetting vs. IAS relationships, and even seemingly identical test methods are fundamentally inconsistent.

This study first provides a thorough summary of all wetting and topography parameters reported to have a link with IAS. Then, it assesses a large and diverse set of surfaces regarding these wetting parameters (utilizing optical and force-based methods) and topography parameters (using techniques with different scales and resolutions). Finally, the correlation of these parameters with shear IAS is evaluated.

The findings shed light on the factual and conceptual errors that cause occasional irreproducible relationships with IAS. For instance, the renowned relationship between the practical work of adhesion [∝(1+cosθ_rec)] and shear IAS is disputed due to fundamentally flawed assumptions. A potential wetting parameter for correlating to shear IAS on smooth non-soft surfaces in the wettability range of θ_adv,θ_rec<120^° was identified, i.e., the tilting-obtained trigonometric contact angle hysteresis (i.e., [Formula: see text] ). Numerical correlations, geometrical similarities, and fundamental principles support the plausible link of this wetting parameter to shear IAS.