Preliminary Assessment of Vulnerability of Tactical Missile Materials in Nuclear Dust Environments.

Abstract

Erosion tests of several candidate electromagnetic and optical window materials were performed at the AEDC Dust Erosion Tunnel. The test conditions were selected to simulate: (1) operational conditions that may be experienced by tactical missiles in a nuclear dust environment, and (2) conditions used in tests of these materials in simulated rain environments. Alumina and beryllia were found to be the most erosion-resistant radome materials in the conditions tested, while 1D Celcon/quartz was the best antenna window material. It also was found that the measured dust erosion rates were significantly different than the rates that would be predicted on the basis of rain erosion test results. Tests also were performed on two magnesium fluoride domes used in conjunction with infrared sensor systems. Exposure to a relatively mild erosive environment was found to compromise the survivability of this material, as well as degrading its infrared transmission characteristics. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 31, 1978
Accession Number
ADA074949

Entities

People

  • E. C. Alexander

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agent-Based Simulations
  • Air Force
  • Antenna Windows
  • Carbon Carbon Composites
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Composite Materials
  • Instrumentation
  • Ions
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Testing
  • Military Research
  • Optical Materials
  • Particle Size
  • Photographs
  • Rain Erosion
  • Test Facilities

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.