INFLUENCE OF THE MULTIPLICITY OF ULTRADISPERSE POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE APPLICATION ON THE WETTABILITY OF PEO COATINGS ON TITANIUM

10.25712/ASTU.1811-1416.2026.03.002

Abstract

The paper studies composite coatings formed on commercially pure titanium grade VT1-0 by plasma electrolytic oxidation followed by the application of superdispersed polytetrafluoroethylene (SPTFE) by spraying and heat treatment. The relevance of the work is determined by the need to create hydrophobic protective coatings for metals operated in aggressive environments. The effect of the applied SPTFE suspension amount (1, 2 or 3 spraying cycles) on the morphology, wettability and surface energy of the composite coatings is determined. It is established that a single application of SPTFE provides uniform filling of pores without defects, a contact angle of 131.3±0.6° and a minimum wetting hysteresis (39.0±0.5°). The surface energy of the coating obtained with a single polymer application is 12.78±0.57 mJ/m², which is typical for hydrophobic fluoropolymer materials. Two or three applications lead to increased internal stress, crack formation, polymer film delamination, and a decrease in hydrophobicity. These results can be used in the development of protective hydrophobic coatings for titanium components operating in corrosive environments.