Cranfield Icing Wind Tunnel
Cranfield UniversityCranfield
NWTF lists Cranfield University's Icing Wind Tunnel as an open-return facility in Cranfield. Its current page publishes three test sections (0.76 m × 0.76 m, 0.81 m octagonal and 0.4 m × 0.4 m), a 35–150 m/s flow-speed range and −30°C to +20°C temperature range, and says the facility is used to understand how ice forms on aircraft, wind turbines and other structures.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
- Published icing-study use
- NWTF says the facility is used to understand the details of how ice forms on aircraft, wind turbines and other structures.
- Published test sections
- The facility page lists three test sections: 0.76 m × 0.76 m, 0.81 m octagonal and 0.4 m × 0.4 m.
Testing capabilities
Icing-formation studies
NWTF says the facility is used to understand how ice forms on aircraft, wind turbines and other structures. Its facility page lists a droplet measurement system, force and moment, pressure and temperature outputs, and thermography for flow visualisation.
Published measurement and visualisation
The facility page lists multiple-channel high-speed data acquisition with force and moment, pressure and temperature outputs, thermography for flow visualisation and a droplet measurement system.
Equipment and published limits
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Published test sections and flow-speed range | 0.76 m × 0.76 m, 0.81 m octagonal and 0.4 m × 0.4 m test sections; 35–150 m/s flow speed | These are published facility figures. Confirm the applicable section, usable model envelope, blockage, support arrangement and icing conditions for a particular programme. |
| Published temperature range | −30°C to +20°C | The page presents this as a facility temperature range. It does not establish a guaranteed combined operating envelope with every test section, speed, droplet condition or model arrangement. |
Access and contact
Facility contact
- Address
- Cranfield
- Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
What to confirm with the facility
- Published test-section, flow-speed and temperature figures do not establish the usable icing envelope for a particular model, droplet condition, support system or measurement plan. Confirm those details with the facility.
Before requesting a test
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Frequently asked questions
What icing work does the facility publish?
NWTF says the facility is used to understand how ice forms on aircraft, wind turbines and other structures. The page also lists a droplet measurement system, force and moment, pressure and temperature outputs, and thermography. Confirm the applicable test section and icing conditions for a particular programme with the facility.
Related testing facilities
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Further reading
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Sources and review
Arc reviewed the linked NWTF facility page on 30 September 2026 by direct HTTP retrieval. This is a review of published information, not a facility inspection, test witnessing or confirmation of availability. Confirm model suitability, icing conditions and scheduling with the facility.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
Cranfield University Icing Wind Tunnel
NWTF's current facility page is used for the Cranfield icing-tunnel identity, published study use, test sections, performance figures and listed measurement systems. It does not state accreditation, an external booking route, availability, pricing or item acceptance.