Onset and Nature of Fracture of Uniaxially Compressed Gun Propellants. A Small Angle Neutron and X-ray Scattering Study

Abstract

To understand the mechanism of fracture, the response of two propellant formulations, M30 and M43, has been studied. Specimens were prepared from extruded solid strands and uniaxially deformed at about 100 1/s to 2, 5, 10 and 20 percent strain. Axial and ortho-axial sections of these damaged specimens were investigated with small angle neutron and X-ray scattering. Monochromatic beams irradiated the specimens and the resulting scattering patterns were recorded as a function of scattering angle with a two-dimensional detector. These measurements were performed using instruments at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The scattering from both propellants showed substantial asymmetry and dramatic changes as a function of strain. These results directly reflect the surface area that exists between regions of different materials and also any new surface area created by fracture. Interpretation of the measurements has for the first time revealed important aspects of the mechanism of fracture failure in these propellants. Mechanical response, Propellants, Bed, M30, M43, X rays, Surface profile, Fracture damage, Scattering, Neutrons, Small angle, X ray scattering.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA268882

Entities

People

  • John D. Barnes
  • Robert J. Lieb
  • Samuel F. Trevino

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artillery
  • Composite Materials
  • Composite Propellants
  • Double Base Propellants
  • Energetic Materials
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Propellants
  • Scattering
  • X Ray Scattering
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.