INVESTIGATION OF A CLOSE TOLERANCE PYROTECHNIC METALLIC DELAY ELEMENT,
Abstract
The feasibility of a close tolerance delay element capable of operation after exposure to extremes of temperature, as experienced in advanced aerospace vehicles is reported. This study was conducted using a new material - fuze wire. Normally used for electrical and pyrotechnic fuses, this wire has been applied as the main component of a time delay. While standard delay elements are produced with a time tolerance of 20 percent over the temperature range of -65 to =+160 F, the projected time tolerance for a fuze wire delay element is 5 percent over the temperature range of -100 to +400 F. The improvement of time tolerance is predicted on the more rapid and uniform linear burning rate. Fuze wire used in this application burns at a rate close to one foot per second, as compared to the chemical composition trains having linear burning rates ranging in tenths of an inch per second. Normal variations in the linear or cut length of fuze wire have little effect on the time tolerance. This report documents the development, design, fabrication, and testing, with time tolerances approaching the predicted 5 percent. Since fuze wire is insensitive to shock, impact, or vibration, and since it burns (alloys) at a high temperature, it could be applied as an igniter for high temperature propellants or for use as a medium for separation or release devices. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0422316
Entities
People
- W. R. Peterson
Organizations
- Frankford Arsenal