IREIS is well placed to propose material development allowing to obtain hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties intended in many application since icing or de-icing resistance, even in certain conditions until the realization of coatings qualified as super-hydrophobic. The functionalization of surfaces then permits to modify the reactivity of surfaces to reduce the corrosion or on the other side improve its catalytic properties, favors its anti-bacterial properties (in the health domain)
The hydrophobic surfaces are very desired in the industrial sector because they confer to the materials icing and steam resistance, they even prevent dirt deposits.
By mastering the composition of the layers realized by PECVD from precursors organo-silicon, IREIS realizes energy of controlled surface coatings which, combined with periodic laser surface texturing, can tend towards a super hydrophobic behavior of the surface (see picture).
The surface structuration at the submicronic scale allows to multiply the nucleon sites by modifying the behavior of fluids in contact with the solids lining. This modification of the properties permits the increase of the ebullition capacities of a material and by the way affect the thermo-chemical transfers.
We estimate that the direct or indirect effects du to the corrosion cost to the industry around 2% of the international brut product. In front of such losses, it is necessary to bring a real solution for the protection against corrosion adapted to the materials (metals, ceramics, polymers,…) and their environment (high humidity, marine environment,…); IREIS develops coatings which prevent the redox phenomenon leading to a deterioration of the material.