FURI | Spring 2018

How Surface Roughness Affects Interfacial Strength of Steel and Ice

In this project, researchers investigated how surface roughness affects the force needed to shear ice off of steel after it has been sprayed onto a cold surface. Steel specimens were prepared with various levels of surface roughness in which a bridging ice layer was formed from a spray. The force required to fracture the ice from the specimens was then measured to determine the relationship between surface roughness and interfacial strength. The findings of this research will be useful for optimizing naval vessel designs and operating procedures in cold regions where ice build-up is prevalent.