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    Mechanical durability of hydrophobic surfaces fabricated by injection moulding of laser-induced textures

    Year: 2019

    Journal: Appl. Surf. Sci., Volume 476, MAY 15, page 850–860

    Authors: Romano, Jean-Michel; Gulcur, Mert; Garcia-Giron, Antonio; Martinez-Solanas, Elena; Whiteside, Ben R.; Dimov, Stefan S.

    Organizations: European Commission H2020 ITN programme "European ESRs Network on Short Pulsed Laser Micro/Nanostructuring of Surfaces for Improved Functional Applications" (Laser4Fun) under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant [675063]; H2020 programme, project on "Modular laser based additive manufacturing platform for large scale industrial applications" (MAESTRO); H2020 programme, project on "High-Impact Injection Moulding Platform for mass-production of 3D and/or large micro-structured surfaces with Antimicrobial, Self-cleaning, Anti-scratch, Anti-squeak and Aesthetic functionalities"(HIMALAIA); H2020 programme, project on "Process Fingerprint for Zero-defect Net-shape Micromanufacturing" (MICROMAN); Bosch Siemens Home Appliances (B/S/H/Spain)

    Keywords: Laser texturing; Injection moulding; Wettability; Cleaning; Durability; Areal parameters

    The paper reports an investigation on the mechanical durability of textured thermoplastic surfaces together with their respective wetting properties. A range of laser-induced topographies with different aspect ratios from micro to nanoscale were fabricated on tool steel inserts using an ultrashort pulsed near infrared laser. Then, through micro-injection moulding the topographies were replicated onto polypropylene surfaces and their durability was studied systematically. In particular, the evolution of topographies on textured thermoplastic surfaces together with their wetting properties were investigated after undergoing a controlled mechanical abrasion, i.e. reciprocating dry and wet cleaning cycles. The obtained empirical data was used both to study the effects of cleaning cycles and also to identify cleaning procedures with a minimal impact on textured thermoplastic surfaces and their respective wetting properties. In addition, the use of 3D areal parameters that are standardised and could be obtained readily with any state-of-the-art surface characterisation system are discussed for monitoring the surface's functional response.
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