Experimental flow studies on separation and reattachment in the vicinity of sharp, wedge shaped leading edges at low Reynolds numbers

The flow field around sharp leading edges in subsonic, low Reynolds number flow is investigated experimentally. Separation occurs already at small angles of attack. Under certain conditions reattachment takes place and a separation bubble develops. As this influences the lift and drag of an airfoil decisively, the conditions leading to reattachment and the formation of a laminar boundary layer are of special interest. The influences of the Reynolds number, angle of attack and leading edge apex angle on the boundary layer properties are studied by means of hot-wire anemometry, flow visualisation techniques and measurements of the pressure distribution over the leading edge. For a small parameter range, laminar separation followed by laminar reattachment is observed.