SUPERHYDROPHOBIC COATING BASED ON EP-140 EPOXY ENAMEL: A STUDY OF MECHANICAL ENDURANCE UNDER EXTERNAL ACTIONS

In this study, the mechanical durability of a superhydrophobic coating fabricated on the basis of industrial epoxy enamel EP-140 was investigated. To achieve a superhydrophobic state, the applied coating was modified by pulsed laser texturing and fluorosilane chemisorption. The aim of the research was to evaluate the coating’s resistance to various mechanical loads typical for outdoor use: prolonged water contact, exposure to high-speed water jets, abrasive wear from falling sand, and multiple removals of adhesive tape. It was shown that the combined approach used in superhydrophobic treatment not only provides high water repellency but also significant resistance to degradation. Experiments revealed only a slight decrease in wetting characteristics, while the heterogeneous wetting regime was maintained, confirming that the coating retains its functionality even under extreme mechanical impacts. The obtained data indicate the promising application of the developed coating in industries that require a combination of high wear resistance and cost-effectiveness.