Rigid and soft materials for icephobicity: the role of surface and mechanical properties

Understanding icephobic performance is challenging due to the dynamics of mechanical and wetting properties during ice adhesion tests. This chapter examines de-icing mechanisms on rigid surfaces with varying hydrophobicity, soft materials with different lubrication levels, and hybrid rigid-soft systems using a horizontal shear ice adhesion setup. The liquid-like behavior in rigid materials and the humidity-dependent contact angle evolution in soft materials are discussed, including how integrating rigid and soft components enhances icephobicity performance.