Combustible Cartridge Case Ballistic Characterization

Abstract

The combustible cartridge case is widely used in modern ammunition systems. Its mechanical strength allows it to replace metallic packaging in the handling, storage, and loading phases, while its combustible nature eliminates the logistical burden of disposing of unconsumed packaging after firing. Despite its wide use, the effect of the combustible cartridge case on final performance is not understood well enough to be modeled in a phenomenologically reasonable manner in modern interior ballistic codes. Current codes use three methods to represent the function of the combustible case. One method uses a tabular input; the others model the case as a propellant or as a surface function using case thermochemistry and burning rates as inputs. These procedures may induce errors because of uncertainties in the burning characteristics of the case material. Keywords: Interior ballistics; Combustible cartridge case; Burning rate; Closed bomb; 120-mm Tank gun.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA222564

Entities

People

  • Frederick W. Robbins
  • Joseph W. Colburn

Organizations

  • Ballistic Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additives (Chemicals)
  • Ammunition
  • Artillery
  • Bombs
  • Burning Rate
  • Cartridge Cases
  • Closed Bomb Tests
  • Combustible Cartridge Cases
  • Combustion
  • Databases
  • Engineering
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Military Research
  • Munitions
  • Pressure Transducers
  • Propellants

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering
  • Rocket Propulsion.