Biomimetic functional surface of reducing soil adhesion on 65Mn steel

Abstract

The phenomenon of soil adhesion occurs when soil-tillage implements interact with soil, which often increases the working resistance and energy consumption. It was found that the membranous leaf sheath of rhizoma imperatae can shuttle in soil, owing to not only its own growth force, but also the anti-adhesion function due to the hydrophobicity and special surface texture. In this article, the microstructure and surface wettability of membranous leaf sheath were studied to reveal its anti-adhesion property by testing. The anti-adhesion mechanism of the hydrophobic surface for the static and dynamic state was analyzed. The biomimetic specimens were designed and fabricated using 65Mn steel inspired by membrane leaf sheaths. The hydrophobic surface was obtained on 65Mn steel by the low free energy modification with myristic acid ethanol solution. For comparison, a 65Mn steel sample without modification was also prepared. A linear soil bin filled with clayey soil with the compaction and gravimetric moisture content of 24.5% dry base was constructed to test the soil anti-adhesion properties of biomimetic specimens. In fixed compacted soil with 24.5% moisture content, the weight of adhesive soil on the modified biomimetic surface measured 50% less than that of the control specimens flat plate surface with modification and NO. 10.