Experiments on ice particle impact: a review

The behavior of ice particles impacting against a rigid surface is a topic that has gained more and more relevance in the field of transportation safety, particularly in the automotive and aerospace sectors. The present review outlines the various controlled experimental approaches used to study artificial ice particle collisions, describing the setup configurations, particle release mechanisms, and the selection of materials for impact surfaces. It also assesses fundamental studies that measure the coefficient of restitution (CoR or en) and the fragmentation regime of ice upon impact, clarifying how ice particles react when they strike a surface. The review also includes analytical and empirical formulas that describe the critical impact velocity, which determines the different impact outcomes, like bouncing, sticking, or fragmentation and fragmentation distribution of the ice particles. Lastly, it summarizes how particle size, temperature, and material properties affect the impact responses. In addition, the review proposes a visual representation of the different models and how they compare. The visual representation highlights the differences between each model and the transition from elastic to plastic impact responses, and it is instrumental in understanding the conditions under which ice particles leave a residual mass on the impact surface. The insights gained from this review are vital for better understanding the impact of the ice particle phenomenon and mapping the state of the art in this branch of research.