Ultra short pulse laser generated surface textures for anti-ice applications in aviation
conference paper
By laser ablation with ultra short laser pulses in the pico- and femto-second range, well controlled dual scaled micro- and nano-scaled surface textures can be obtained. The micro-scale of the texture is mainly determined by the dimensions of the laser spot, whereas the superimposed nano-structure is the result of so-called laser induced "self organizing nanostructuring". By controlling this micro-nano surface texture, it is possible to modify the natural hydrophobicity of materials. This paper investigates the anti-ice properties of these hydrophobic micro-nano surface textures. Leading edges, engine inlets etc. of airplanes are prone to ice-accretion in certain icing conditions. Ice can distort the flow of air over the wing, reducing the aircrafts aerodynamic performance. Moreover, take-off is not permitted if ice contamination on the aircraft's surfaces exists. Two materials, popular in aviation, a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) and a stainless steel (1.4544.9), were laser-machined using UV laser pulses of 6.7 ps at 200 kHz. Surface textures were physically analyzed using optical microscopy and SEM. Coatings, on top of the textures, were applied to create super-hydrophobicity. The hydrophobicity of the surfaces was quantified by contact angle measurements. The anti-ice properties of the surfaces were tested in a climate chamber.
Topics
Aerodynamic performanceClimate chambersEngine inletsFlow of airIce propertiesIcing conditionsLaser inducedLaser spotsLeading edgeMicro-nanoMicro-scalesNano-structuringNatural hydrophobicityScaled surfacesSelf organizingSEMSuperhydrophobicitySurface texturesTi-6al-4vTwo-materialsUltra-short pulse laserUltrashort laser pulseUV laser pulseAblationAircraftAngle measurementAviationContact angleHydrophobicityLaser pulsesOptical microscopyPulsed laser applicationsStainless steelSurfacesTexturesTitanium alloys
TNO Identifier
364455
ISBN
9780912035598
Source title
28th International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics, ICALEO 2009, 2-5 November 2009, Orlando, FL, USA
Pages
30-37
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