Metallographic Studies of Erosion and Thermo-Chemical Cracking of Cannon Tubes

Abstract

The characteristic erosion features of fired cannons and the closely related surface alterations on laboratory simulation samples have been examined with a variety of electron optical and other analytical techniques. The results suggest that the heat-checking pattern is caused by the large differential thermal contraction between surface austenite and subsurface tempered martensite, the deep longitudinal cracks result from liquid-solid metal embrittlement primarily by copper, and the subsurface microstructural alterations are a consequence of intense carburization by the explosion gases. The observations could provide the basis for thermomechanical modeling of the erosion and cracking of cannon tubes.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADA135816

Entities

People

  • A. Szirmae
  • M. H. Kamdar
  • R. M. Fisher

Organizations

  • United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Austenite
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Cracks
  • Electron Diffraction
  • Electrons
  • Explosion Gases
  • Fracture (Mechanics)
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Metals
  • Military Research
  • Propellants
  • Simulations
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Steel
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Metallurgy
  • ballistics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics