Objectives In the ice-propeller milling or collision test, in order to accurately test the ice load of the propeller, it is very important to use model ice which satisfies similarity with the geometric and mechanical properties of real ice.

Methods Uniaxial compression tests of model ice using different materials are carried out with freshwater ice, saltwater ice, urea ice, ethylene glycol/aliphatic detergent/sugar (EG/AD/S) ice and paraffin model ice as the research objects. The compressive strength and failure modes of ice under different strain rates, freezing and tempering conditions are then tested and analyzed.

Results In its development process, saltwater ice made with a freezing temperature and time of -20℃ and 48 h, and tempering temperature and time of -5℃ and 24 h, can meet the requirements of the ice-propeller contact test. The order of the compressive strength of the model ice in descending order is urea ice, freshwater ice, EG/AD/S ice, paraffin model ice, freshwater ice-tempering, EG/AD/S ice-tempering, saltwater ice, urea ice-tempering and saltwater-tempering.

Conclusions The results of this study can provide useful references for the selection of model ice in subsequent ice-propeller milling or collision experiments.