Project Title:

Ordered Polymer Film Composite Applied to Fluid Deicing System for Aircraft

03.01-3200
Ordered Polymer Film Composite Applied to Fluid Deicing System for Aircraft
Foster-miller, Inc.
350 Second Ave.
Waltham
MA
02254
Lusignea
Richard W.
24846

LeRC

Abstract:

The "Weeping Wing" concept, in which a deicing fluid is slowly pumped through pores
in a leading edge surface to remove accumulated ice and prevent additional ice formation,
has proven very effective.  Commercial and developmental versions employ sintered
stainless steel or laser drilled titanium  as the leading edge material.  A lighter,
more cost-effective system conpatible with composite substrate structures is needed
to fully realize the potential of this concept for modern aircraft.
	A porous PBT (poly-p-phenylene benzobisthiozole) film has been developed for application
to porous leading edge deicing systems.  PBT is an extremely strong, stiff, stable
and relatively inert polymer with promise for use in the porous leading edge structure.
	The PBT film has controlled porosity and its mechanical properties and pressure-flow
characteristics have been measured.  The feasibility of using it as a leading edge
for the "weeping wing" has been assessed using as a comparison the porous sintered
stainless steel leading edge made by TKS Limited of Halfwhistle, England.