Thermal Radiation Transmission Through Composite Material.

Abstract

On 10 June 1993, the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) Field Command at White Sands Missile Range conducted a Thermal Radiation Simulator (TRS) test for the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) during project MINOR UNCLE. The NSWC was interested in measuring the radiant thermal energy absorbed by a fiberglass panel during a simulated nuclear weapon event. The resultant thermocouple data showed an unusual initial high-temperature rise and fall, followed by the expected conductive heating. The initial transient was theorized to be the result of thermal radiation transmitted through the panel. To investigate this theory, NSWC prepared several more panels of different thicknesses, preinstrumented with thermocouples and strain gages for testing with a U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) TRS. ARL also provided additional instrumentation to measure thermal radiation on the front surface as well as behind the panel. The results showed that there was direct heating of the rear of the composite panel by thermal radiation. The quantity of heat transmission through the panel and the point of ignition of the front surface of the panel were determined. Smoke and charring of the front surface protected the panel from further heating and possible destruction. jgp.3

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA299517

Entities

People

  • Richard B. Loucks

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Materials
  • Fiberglass
  • Gages
  • Heat Transmission
  • High Temperature
  • Instrumentation
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Military Research
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Radiation
  • Strain Gages
  • Surface Warfare
  • Thermal Radiation
  • Thermocouples

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.