Ignition and Flame Spreading Susceptibility of Gun Propellants.
Abstract
This work represents the results of a series of tests on ignition and flame spreading processes of gun propellants. The overall effort was split into three tasks: (1) partially confined hot fragment conductive ignition (HFCI) characteristics of high energy, low vulnerability (HELOVA) propellants, (2) shock impact studies on HELOVA propellants, and (3) combustion of layered gun propellants. Results indicated that measured and calculated go/no-go ignition boundaries for XM49 and M43 propellants in both partially and fully confined enclosures were determined and were in a good agreement. Shock impact studies showed that ignition delay time of propellants (JA2, M30, XM39, and M43) decreased when fracture was induced upon shock wave impact. Propellants (XM39 and M43) with brittle fracture characteristics were more susceptible to shock-wave induced ignition due to higher number of potential ignition sites. Results of layered gun propellant tests showed that the flame spreading process could significantly be affected by the spacing between adjacent layers of propellant disks. Surface groove on propellant disks can greatly facilitate the flame spreading process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA313623
Entities
People
- Kenneth K. Kuo
- Stefan T. Thynell
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University