The work addresses the degradation of slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) and the identification of suitable methods for evaluating their durability. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of different exposure conditions and identify parameters that describe degradation resistance as reliably as possible. Four different surface morphologies were fabricated, with each type infused with silicone oil having a viscosity of either 10 cSt or 100 cSt. During degradation testing, the samples were exposed to temperatures of 100 °C or 200 °C, or subjected to water spraying. The results showed that degradation resistance is simultaneously influenced by surface morphology, the stability of the hydrophobic layer, oil viscosity, and degradation conditions. The static contact angle proved to be a less reliable indicator of degradation, whereas the sliding angle yielded consistent results and was suitable for the rapid evaluation of surface durability. It was also found that oils of different viscosities require different temperature tests and measurement intervals, as an insufficiently high temperature does not produce a clear degradation trend. Water spraying proved to be an effective method for evaluating degradation resistance; however, because degradation proceeds rapidly, the exposure time must be appropriately adjusted and more intermediate measurements are required. Overall, the results confirm that surface morphology and the viscosity of the infused oil have a significant effect on an infused surface’s resistance to degradation.
|