Functionalized porous 316 L stainless-steel with oil reservoir against ice adhesion

Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPSs) are used in anti-fouling, anti-icing and anti-corrosion, but lack of long-term durability is a challenge due to lubricant depletion. SLIPS with self-lubricating properties can achieve extended durability without reapplying the lubricant. Generally, lubricant is stored close to surface, thus lubricant reservoir is limited. Here bulk of porous material acts as lubricant reservoir in 316 L stainless-steel SLIPS with self-lubricating properties for lowering ice adhesion. The reservoir was fabricated by using a space holder technique in metal injection molding (MIM) with lubricant reservoir volume up to 17.3 %. Surface was activated with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) to attract lubricant. Ice adhesion strength was increased up to three times against non-porous reference in ice adhesion testing using porous surface without lubrication. The best performing SLIPS showed 6.7 times lower ice adhesion against counterpart porous surface without lubricant and 1.7 times lower than non-porous reference. This self-lubrication was achieved on mechanically durable structure having an adjustable lubricant storage capacity by temperature-driven phenomenon during de-icing. • Bulk porosity enabled lubricant storage in reservoirs. • Low ice adhesion was achieved on lubricant covered surface. • Lubricant reservoir was utilized for extended durability against depletion. • Surface porosity increased ice adhesion without lubricant. • Lubricant replenishment was achieved by temperature-driven phenomenon.