NASA NTRS · 19830000609
Identifying Boundary-Layer Transitions on Aircraft Skin
Abstract
Sublimating chemicals offer accurate, low-cost way of indicating laminarto-turbulent flow transisions on surfaces of aircraft. Aerodynamic surfaces coated with thin film of such volatile chemical solids as naphthalene, diphenyl, acenaphthene, or fluorene. Film sublimes rapidly because of high local shear stress and heat transfer in boundary layer. Coating appears white in regions where chemical remained on surface indicating laminar flow; regions where chemical disappeared indicate turbulent flow.
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Holmes, B. J., Croom, C. C., Kelliher, W. C., Obara, C. J.. 1984-11-01. Identifying Boundary-Layer Transitions on Aircraft Skin. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19830000609
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