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National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Technical Notes - Refrigerated Wing Tunnel Tests on Surface Coatings for Preventing Ice Formation

This investigation Was conducted in the Refrigerated Wind
Tunnel at Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, Langley
Field, Virginia, to determine the effectiveness of various sur-
face coatings as a means for preventing ice formations on air~
craft in flight.

The substances used as coatings for these tests are divided
into two groups: compounds soluble in water, and those which
are insoluble in water.

It was found that certain soluble compounds were apparently
effective in preventing the formation of ice on an airfoil mod—
el, while all insoluble compounds which were tested were found
to be ineffective.

The formation of ice on aircraft in flight presents a seri—
ous hazard, which is of particular importance to air mail and
transport lines. The danger arises partly from the increased
weight, but more particularly from the deformation of aerodynam—
is shapes resulting in decreased lift, increased drag, excessive
vibration, and loss of control. Wings, wires, and struts are
the parts most seriously affected.

The possible methods for overcoming the ice hazard may be
divided into two general classifications. The first is preven—
tion, which includes the use of surface applications and the
use of heat. The second is avoidance, which includes adequate
weather forecasting over established air routes and the use of
suitable instruments to enable pilots to avoid conditions con—
ducive to ice formation.

A study of the various physical and chemical properties of
water as a solid, liquid, and vapor, with particular reference
to atmospheric conditions, is useful in interpreting phenomena
of ice formation. The problem is very complex and still the
subject of much research. However, the following references are
suggested as giving a general resume of the subject. A dis"
cussion of the behavior of water in its Various forms may be
found in References l and 6. The formation of clouds, Water,
vapor, ice, snow, etc., and associated phenomena are discussed
in any good text on meteorology (References l to 5).