Rain rig and expertise for testing erosion

Citation

(2001), "Rain rig and expertise for testing erosion", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773bab.013

Rain rig and expertise for testing erosion

Rain rig and expertise for testing erosion

Keywords DERA, Erosion, Testing

DERA's special "rain rig" is believed to be providing a novel service in the test, analysis and evaluation of rain erosion, an area which can often have a surprising impact on the aerospace industry (Plate 3).

Plate 3 DERA offers a special "rain rig" for testing erosion

All forward facing surfaces of high-speed aircraft and externally carried stores are vulnerable to rain impact erosion at speeds of more than 100m/s. The ability to withstand damage varies with the material and impact angle.

Test on materials which give protection from bullets, such as Kevlar, fail when subjected to rain droplet impact at normal flight speeds. Modern materials used on today's aircraft, including carbon fibre, are easily destroyed and eroded by rain. This can lead to surface defects and even cracks.

David Hogg, DERA's rain erosion facility manager, said:

The damage cause by rain erosion could turn into a serious and dangerous situation. The problem is that no material will survive rain impact at today's flight speeds, but some materials are more resilient than others.

DERA's rain rig tests different types of materials at different angles. With only four rain rigs in the world, this is the only one in the UK and DERA is in an advantage position to offer its services to the commercial arena. The rig offers the opportunity to test materials used for components before they are put into service and subject to rapid deterioration, forcing costly repairs.

This facility is specifically important for the aerospace industry and companies involved in manufacturing external forward-facing components. Cars, except Formula One cars, do not travel fast enough for rain impact to cause damage.

Further details are available from DERA. Tel: +44 (0)1252 39 4572; Fax: +44 (0)1252 394571; E-mail: jfsale@dera.gov.uk