Calibration and Testing of a Large-Scale Electric Gun for Shock Hugoniot Measurements
Abstract
This report presents further work on the MRL large-scale electric gun facility including the use of a screened room and a purpose-built safety interlock system, calibration of an electric gun using a VISAR velocity interferometer, and tests on two laser break-beam arrangements for measuring flyer velocity. The VISAR was also used for making velocity measurements during some impact experiments on several materials to test the suitability of the facility for obtaining Hugoniot and spall strength data. The materials were Perspex and Lexan (polymethyl methacrylate and polycarbonate) and aluminium alloy 3105. The flyer velocities measured using the break-beam arrangements were compared with those measured by the VISAR. The agreement between the two methods was found to be poor and inconsistent. High-speed photographs show leakage of plasma past the flyer. Interruption of the laser beams by the plasma instead of the flyer seems to be the reason for the poor agreement. The Hugoniot and spall strength data were in general agreement with published data.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA274843
Entities
People
- David J. Hatt
- Philip F. Ryan
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group