The objective of the ICECOAT project was to minimise the run-back icing over the natural laminar flow (NLF) wing surface by optimising the anti-icing coatings and electro-thermal de-icing system. This will help implement the laminar flow control technology currently investigated by Clean Sky Joint Undertaking.

This objective was tackled by a combination of four technical work packages:

1. Wettability and ice adhesion study (WP1)
2. Development of smart anti-icing coatings (WP2)
3. De-icing by electro-thermal system (WP3)
4. Validation of mixed strategies (WP4)

together with Administrative work (WP0) and Dissemination/exploitation (WP5).

The proposed work was carried out by advancing our understanding of the heat transfer processes that determine runback icing accretion by fully considering the influence of both trapped air pockets and water within the developing ice matrix. We also selected and/or developed new types of coating matrices, new nanoparticles for nanocomposites, and a new method for coating surface modification to produce anti-icing coating with higher hardness and erosion resistance. These new anti-icing coatings were tested in conjunction with an electro-thermal de-icing system, which was optimised for its location over the wing. Pulsing operation of the de-icing system was also tested to minimise the occurrence of run-back icing. Finally, the effect of laminar-to-turbulent transition of the boundary layer over the wing surface on the behaviour of run-back icing will be investigated in an icing wind tunnel.