Evaluation of Propellant Erosivity with Vented Erosion Apparatus
Abstract
Gun steel erosion studies were performed using three propellant types (double-base, triple-base, and RDX composite), each formulated to have isochoric flame temperatures of approximately 2700 K, 3000 K, and 3300 K, respectively. These erosion studies were performed independently at ARRADCOM and Princeton University in different erosion vent apparatuses. At ARRADCOM, the erosivities of propellant types at equivalent temperatures were evaluated on the basis of equal charge weights, peak pressures, and energy. The nitramine composite propellants in the 280 MPa regime were the most erosive at all flame temperatures. Within a propellant type, erosivity increased with flame temperature. In the lower pressure regime (approximately 210 MPa), the general erosivity levels were lower for all propellants. At the lower temperatures the nitramine composites were the most erosive, but at 3300 K the erosivities were approximately the same for each propellant. At the high pressures, the dominant factor in erosivity is propellant gas composition which determines the heat convection to the barrel surface. At the lower pressure, gas composition is the dominant erosion factor at 2700 K and 3000 K, but at 3300 K the flame temperature becomes the dominant factor. The two erosion apparatuses gave similar results, but where differences occurred, no explanation was available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA098655
Entities
People
- A. J. Bracuti
- J. A. Lannon
- L. Bottei
- L. H. Caveny
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center