Easy-to-clean property and durability of superhydrophobic flaky γ-alumina coating on stainless steel in field test at a paper machine

Superhydrophobic flaky γ-alumina coating was prepared on AISI 316 2B stainless steel and was field-tested near size roll at a paper machine in a paper mill for 6 weeks consisting of two running periods of machine to check the easy-to-clean property and durability, as compared to an uncoated reference stainless steel. In the end of the field test, both the superhydrophobic and the reference stainless steel were fully covered with substances from the testing environment. Major part of the collected substances on the superhydrophobic stainless steel can be washed away by pressurized water; however, the collected substances remained on the reference stainless steel after washing. The field-tested samples were characterized visually and by stereomicroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, laser profilometry and contact angle tester. The field test revealed the easy-to-clean property of the superhydrophobic surface and the superhydrophobic coating survived rather well after the first running period of 16 days in the field test. The resistance and durability of the superhydrophobic surface still needs to be further improved for longer term application in paper industry. Nanoindentation was used to further study the mechanical properties of the γ-alumina coating. It was found that the γ-alumina coating became much softer after transforming from flat to flaky form. In addition, the flaky γ-alumina coating demonstrated a phenomenon of time-dependent plasticity and some flexibility.