Automated Ice Adhesion Measurement Tool (RFT-772)

Invention Summary

This custom-built apparatus measures the ice adhesion strength of coating panels in shear mode. In a single run, up to 30 test panels can be tested, with two measurements taken for each panel, resulting in 60 ice adhesion measurements per run. Allowing for a maximum of 180 measurements conducted in one day. The system becomes fully automated after the operator loads their test panels and positions the round molds. The control software manages all measurement aspects, including temperature, freeze time, water fill level, push-off speed, dry air purge time, and warm-up time. It also allows the operator to inspect the data for accuracy before generating the test report. The design's key distinguishing feature is the functionality of the coated test panel holder and the ice molds. Since the ice molds do not have a seal, they must be gently held in place to prevent water from leaking out before the ice forms. This holder also ensures the molds are in the identical location on the test panel for every run. During the push-off test, the ice mold holder assembly automatically retracts just as the ice push-off test begins. Other design features that make this system unique are the ability to test more than one ice mold per panel, dispensing the water into the molds at -20C, up to 60 ice push off tests in a single run, the 3-level carousel configuration allows the force transducer and motion control hardware to be in a heated section (they will fail if allowed to freeze). Finally, the entire system is inside a freezer purged with dry nitrogen to prevent frost formation and provide a uniform freezing environment.

Automated Ice Adhesion Measurement Tool

Benefits

Consistent ice formation
Test repeatability
High throughput
Stable environmental effects

Applications

Material testing
Fast, sequential testing

Patent

This technology has a Patent pending and is available for licensing/partnering opportunities.

Contact

NDSU Research Foundation
info(at)ndsurf(dot)org
(701) 231-8173

NDSURF Tech Key

RFT, 772, RFT772

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