Experimental research on ice particle impact on aluminum alloys

In this research, an experimental study on impact by an ice particle was performed. Aluminum alloys were impacted by spherical ice particles with a diameter of 2 mm launched using a two-stage light gas gun. Maximum impact pressure was measured using photon Doppler velocimetry in a velocity range up to approximately 800 m/s. The maximum impact pressure was found to be approximately 4.57 times the theoretical pressure estimated using planar impact approximation. Erosion tests were also performed on aluminum alloys in a velocity range up to approximately Mach 3.5. Craters that formed on the surface of the specimens were measured and fitted using an existing power law based on impact velocity.