Author(s): Anita Nortala-Hoikkanen
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The new model ice used at the Masa-Yards Arctic Research Centre (formerly known as the Wartsila Arctic Research Centre, WARC) is called FGX model ice (FG = fine-grained). FGX model ice has been in production use since 1987 and already over 400 model ice fields have been manufactured. The main difference between FGX (and also FG) model ice and other model ice materials used world-wide is the manufacturing method. The ice is grown by spraying water above the tank water surface. In this way, the water drops freeze into small ice crystals from which the model ice layer is formed. The other difference compared with other water-based model ice materials is that the crystal structure is granular instead of columnar. For FG model ice only the tank water (salinity of 2%) was used. In spraying of FGX model ice, salinity of spraying water is varied depending on the desired properties of ice. The advantages of FGX model ice can be seen both in the manufacturing method and in the properties of ice.
Year: 1990