The study, led jointly by Hongbiao Dong of the Department of Engineering and Mike Branney of the Department of Geology, will use thermal analysis and X-ray computed tomography to analyze the temperature at which volcanic ash solidifies and melts.
The blades of aircraft engines operate at temperatures above their melting point and need a constant flow of cooling air blowing through tiny holes in the blades. The air floats onto the surface of the blades and forms a protective film that stops them reaching the same temperature as the combustion process of the engine.
Volcanic ash can reach a temperature of 2,000 degrees Celsius in the engine, and will melt. If it is sucked into the tiny holes in engine blades the melted ash solidifies to a layer of glass and blocks the ventilation holes, the engine will fail because the blades then melt.
