Influence of Composition of Copolymers of Glycidyl Methacrylate and Alkyl Methacrylates on the Free Energy and Lyophilic Properties of the Coatings

Abstract The use of reactive copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate and alkyl methacrylates differing in the length of the alkyl substituent (С6–С18) has been suggested as alternative to fluorinated modifiers to efficiently reduce the surface free energy. The influence of the structure and composition of the copolymers on the surface free energy and the work of adhesion to polar and dispersive test liquids has been demonstrated. At a smooth surface, the polymer coatings based on the functional copolymers have exhibited low surface free energy (down to 19 mN/m) and to ensure the high-hydrophobic wetting state with contact angles up to 105°. The stability of the superhydrophobic state of the polymer coatings at the textured aluminum surface (the AMG2M grade) with initial wetting angles up to 168° has been investigated.