Cross-Barrel Temperature Difference Due to Wall Thickness Variation
Abstract
Advances in manufacturing techniques have reduced, but not eliminated, cross-barrel wall thickness variation in the production of gun barrels. Structurally, these small variations will not appreciably diminish the strength of the barrel, and are, therefore, riot a firing safety concern. However, even small variations will produce cross-barrel temperature differences that can increase with the number of rounds fired, and thereby produce thermal distortion of the barrel, which degrades gun accuracy. This investigation presents a theoretical (finite difference) analysis of the cross-barrel temperature difference expected to occur as a result of typical and atypical wall thickness variation in production-line guns. The results indicate that typical barrels will riot incur an appreciable thermal bend due to wall thickness variation. However, current manufacturing tolerances would allow an atypical barrel to be fielded that could undergo significant thermal distortion due to a cross-barrel temperature difference created by asymmetric wall thickness.... Gun barrel heating, Finite difference theory, Wall thickness variation, Cross-barrel, Temperature difference, M256 120-mm gun barrel, Repeated firing, Gun barrels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA262509
Entities
People
- Mark L. Bundy
- Nathan Gerber
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory