Hydrophobicity

Hydrophobicity refers to the property of surfaces that have a surface free energy which results in a contact angle with water greater than 90°. When a surface is hydrophobic, it means that it repels water. Instead of spreading across the surface, small spherical droplets form that can roll off easily.

An excellent example of a hydrophobic surface is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which belongs to the fluoropolymers. These materials naturally have a hydrophobic surface, which means that water is repelled by them. This effect makes them extremely useful in various applications, especially when it comes to repelling water or protecting surfaces from moisture.