Pauline LEFEBVRE – Elaboration par pulvérisation cathodique de revêtements inorganiques comme alternative au fart fluoré pour optimiser la glisse en ski de fond

Jury

Elisabeth Blanquet, Directrice de Recherche CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, Directrice de thèse
Davy Dalmas, Chargé de Recherche CNRS, École Centrale Lyon, Rapporteur
Jean-François Pierson, Professeur, Université de Lorraine, Rapporteur
Ana Lacoste, Professeure, Unviersité Grenoble Alpes, Examinatrice
Fabrice Ville, Professeur, INSA Lyon, Examinateur
Mathieu Fauve, Ingénieur, Stöckli, Invité
Arnaud Mantoux, Maître de Conférences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Invité
Pascal Hagenmuller, ICPEF, Météo France-CNRS, Invité
Nicolas Coulmy, Docteur, Fédération Française de Ski, Invité
Jean Herody, Fédération Française de Ski, Invité
 

Abstract

In order to maximise the glide of skis, waxes are applied to their surface to control the hydrophobicity and hardness of the base. There are several types of wax, adapted to each snow condition, ranging from simple paraffin (hydrocarbons) to waxes with a very high content of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). As part of new regulations on persistent pollutants and PFASs, which are toxic to the environment and living beings, the International Ski Federation has banned all wax products containing PFASs from the 2023/2024 season onwards. To date, no substitute for fluorinated waxes with similar gliding performance has been proposed, particularly on wet snow where hydrophobic properties are desired.
The aim of this PhD is to develop thin layers of inorganic materials to replace fluorinated waxes in particular. Thin layers based on titanium nitride, aluminium nitride, titanium carbide and aluminium oxide were developed on polymer substrates similar to ski material using magnetron sputtering. These thin films were then characterised in terms of their structural properties, chemical composition, morphology, wettability and coefficient of friction with snow. Titanium/titanium nitride multilayer coatings appear to be the best candidates, with a coefficient of friction lower than the polymer substrate, in the order of 20%.