Shear strength of ice

[jbennett]

Does anyone know where I can find good data on the shear strength (or adhesion) of ice buildup on alodined aluminum surfaces? I've got an issue with an aircraft which could experience ice build-up, and I need to determine whether the ice adhesion would be significant enough to cause a misfire of some flare/chaff equipment (obviously this depends somewhat on how thick the ice build-up is). I've found some data on ice adhesion to stainless steel, but in most cases it's very thin ice build-up. I've also found mention of data for adhesion to plastics, but I have not been successful in finding data on aluminum/ice adhesion.

James Bennetts
Aerospace Engineer

 

[MikeHalloran]

This may be useful:

http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/ierd/tectran/IERD33.pdf

Mike Halloran
NOT speaking for
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust Inc.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

 

[aviat]

The National Research Council in Ottawa Canada has done a lot of research on A/C icing. Also NASA has a Twin Otter and other airplanes that they do research with. I don't know which department that is. Either of these may be able to find the information for you.

 

[jbennett]

Thanks Mike, that report had a lot of helpful information in it. It looks like I'm going to have to find some sort of small, regulated heating element to use. The commercial coatings out there are not going to be adequate enough to keep ice from building up in this application, which could be disasterous for the aircraft. Anyone know of a good place to look for a small (.75" wide by 10" long) regulated heating element? I've never had to find one previous to this.

Thanks again

James Bennetts
Aerospace Engineer