Improved Tungsten Penetrators.
Abstract
Kinetic energy penetrators composed of tungsten based alloys avoid the cost and toxicity issues associated with uranium. In this program, High Pressure Float Zone crystal growth was investigated as a means of producing single crystal and oriented polycrystalline tungsten and tungsten alloys X-ray diffraction, high rate compression testing, and optical microscopy were used to assess the results. Attempts to float zone pure tungsten were unsuccessful because the high powers required to melt tungsten resulted in electrical arcing between the sample and the induction coil. Lowering the melting temperature through alloying with nickel, iron, and rhenium proved successful and in certain cases resulted in elongated grains. In most cases the high rate compression test results were similar to most tungsten alloys reported elsewhere; the samples showed strain hardening. While polycrystalline tungsten rods produced with a traveling nickel-iron molten zone showed some signs of softening, each of these samples rubblized during testing. Further work would be required to determine the nature of these samples microstructural response and any benefits to penetrator performance Samples of each material were delivered to the Army for further testing. (MM)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA293516
Entities
People
- Patrick Lang
- Ward Stevens