High-Velocity Impact of Ice Particles on a Composite Material

The effect of an ice particle impact on composite materials was studied. An ice projectile was launched by a two-stage light gas gun to a Mach number of 2-3. A carbon/epoxy composite material was made from WSN3k pre-impregnated carbon fiber fabric. First, the total mass removed from target specimen was measured. Threshold energy for material removal was found to be 5.15 J for the specimens tested. Second, momentum transferred to the target specimen was measured. The target was found to receive 1.18 times the momentum of the impacting projectile, implying that impact debris reflect 18% of the projectile's momentum. Finally, ejecta behavior was studied using witness film and a high-speed camera. From these experimental data, an empirical model describing the impacting process was developed. Among others, the kinetic energy of the ejecta particle was found to be 26.4% of the original impact energy.