Investigação do fenômeno redução de arrasto em superfícies de Sylgard® 184 modificadas por plasma

Abstract

Drag is one of the main energy dissipation agents in engineering applications. drag reducing mechanisms have been studied aiming at reductions that cost. The superhydrophobic surfaces (SSH) have high water repellency and has been studied as an alternative mechanism for reducing drag. The high level of repellency is due to the hierarchical structures in the micro and nano scales, causing these surfaces to trap layers of air that impose the slipping condition. This study investigated the drag reduction phenomenon in Sylgard® 184 elastomer surfaces and modified by the plasma treatment at low pressure. Atmospheres with 40% and 60% of argon and 20% and 80% of acetylene were used, varying in treatment times of 10, 15 and 30 minutes of acetylene exposure. The surface, morphological and chemical modifications were confirmed by XPS and AFM analysis, showing the impression of a rough structure on the nanoscale with deposition of chemical elements of the polymerization solution. The obtained SSH showed less resistance to the water flow, tested through the imposition of the flow on channels.