M. Mohseni1, J. Mora2, L. Recla1, P. García3, R. Muelas2, A. Agüero3, and K. Golovin1

1) Okanagan Polymer Engineering Research & Applications Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7,

2) Ingeniería de Sistemas para la Defensa de España SA, Beatriz de Bobadilla No. 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain

3) Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Área de Materiales Metálicos, Ctra. Ajalvir Km 4, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain

Ice accretion can adversely impact many engineering structures in commercial and residential sectors. Although there are many reports on low-ice-adhesion-strength materials, a scalable and durable de-icing solution remains elusive as ice detachment is dominated by interfacial toughness for large interfaces. In this work, durable metallic coatings based on Al-rich quasicrystalline alloys were prepared and applied on aluminum substrate using high velocity oxyfuel thermal spray. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the quasicrystalline phases of the coating, and its capability for large-scale de-icing applications was studied by evaluating the coating’s ice detachment mechanics. A toughness-controlled regime of interfacial fracture was observed for ice lengths longer than ~ 2 cm, and a low shear strength of ~ 30 kPa was achieved for a 20-cm ice length. Durability was confirmed as the metallic coating exhibited excellent ice repellency even after being abraded, scratched, heated, UV-irradiated, and exposed to chemical contaminations.