3D-printed Perforated Trailing Edges for Broadband Noise Abatement

Turbulent boundary layer trailing-edge noise scattered by a NACA0018 airfoil equipped with 3D printed perforated trailing-edge inserts, i.e. with straight cylindrical channels connecting the two sides of the airfoil, is investigated. The inserts have different permeability in order to assess the effect of this property on broadband noise generation. Far-field noise is measured with a phased microphone array. The experiments are performed at free-stream velocities of 26 and 41 m/s, corresponding to chord-based Reynolds numbers of 3.4×10 ⁵ and 5.4×10 ⁵, and at angles of attack of 0 and 4.8 ^◦. The inserts, with permeability values of 1.5×10 ⁻⁹ and 5.4×10 ⁻⁹ m ², attenuate respectively up to 5 and 9.5 dB at 0 ^◦ and up to 4 and 7.5 dB at 4.8 ^◦ incidence. The noise abatement of inserts with straight passages is compared with that of inserts manufactured using metallic foams with a random pore distribution but similar permeability. It is found that to achieve similar overall noise attenuation levels, the perforated inserts require at least 3 times higher permeability than the metal foam inserts. From this we conclude that in order to maximize the noise attenuation potential of permeable inserts, the inner structure of the permeable trailing-edge insert must be considered.