High-resolution, phase contrast X-ray imaging of Rime and Glaze ice under dynamic loading

Understanding the influence of dynamic loading-induced damage in atmospheric ice is key to accurately model potentially hazardous ice impact scenarios for aerospace applications. It has been shown that ice damage initiates well before the measured maximum stress is reached and thus is likely to have a strong influence on the measured dynamic response. We propose to examine, for the first time, subsurface fracture initiation and propagation in two types of atmospheric ice, formed at different temperatures (Rime and Glaze), resulting in distinct microstructures. We seek to utilise real-time phase contrast X-ray radiography to reveal the link between key microstructure features (pores, flaws) and initiation of subsurface cracks during dynamic loading with a cooled Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system. This understanding is essential for the development of new microstructure-informed damage models for ice, which in turn are needed for safety assessment of aerospace engine components.