Antiicing

Anti-icing is a set of methods and technologies designed to prevent the formation or adhesion of ice on surfaces exposed to freezing temperatures and supercooled water droplets. The aim is to keep critical surfaces free of ice during operation by maintaining a surface temperature at or above freezing or by altering surface properties to inhibit ice nucleation and reduce ice adhesion. Anti-icing differs from de-icing, which removes ice after it has formed.

Common approaches include thermal or active heating, such as electric heating elements, circulating heated fluids, hot air, or induction heating, which raise surface temperatures to prevent ice from forming. Chemical anti-icers involve applying anti-icing fluids, often glycol-based solutions, that create a temporary protective layer and reduce ice adhesion; these need periodic reapplication. Surface engineering methods, including hydrophobic or icephobic coatings, aim to repel water and minimize sticking of ice. Insulation, preheating, and controlled environmental conditions can also reduce icing risk, while mechanical surface textures can influence ice formation and adhesion.

Applications span aerospace, transportation, and industrial systems. In aviation, anti-icing systems heat wings, tails, and engine inlets to prevent ice during flight, and anti-icing fluids may be applied on the ground before takeoff. In ground transportation, heated windshields and de-icing/anti-icing formulations help maintain visibility. Wind turbines, ships, and exposed infrastructure may employ heating elements or coatings to mitigate icing. The effectiveness of anti-icing depends on environmental conditions, surface materials, energy or chemical costs, and potential environmental impacts of fluids used.