Improving hydrophobicity of laser textured SiC surface with micro-square convexes

In this paper, wetting behavior of laser micro-square-convexed silicon carbid (SiC) surfaces was studied, so as to achieve laser processed texture to improve hydrophobicity effectively. Micro-square textures of different roughness were fabricated by fiber optic laser. Then static angles and contact angles evolution over time were measured with a video contact angle analyzer. The results show that micro-square convex effectively changed wetting behavior of SiC surface, and the surfaces translated from hydrophilic to hydrophobic after laser processing. Hydrophobicity property increased with increase of surface roughness. The contact angle increased from 100.2° to 119° with increasing roughness from 1 μm to 3 μm, comparing to the untextured smooth surface of 89.8°. It may be expected to use the laser micro-protuberant structure to control the condensation of water droplets on the SiC surfaces.

Graphical abstract.Download full-size imageHighlights► The aim was to control water condensation on silicon carbide (SiC) seal surfaces. ► The testing substrate material was reaction bonded SiC. ► The SiC surface was laser textured with micro-square-convexes. ► The wetting behavior changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic after laser surface texturing. ► The contact angle increased from 89.8° to 119°.