Real-Time Laser-Based Detection of Chemical Intermediate Formation in Liquid Propellant XM46 Shock-Loaded via an Electric Gun
Abstract
This report describes the development and results of an experiment designed to obtain real-time spectroscopic evidence of chemical intermediate formation in shock loaded liquid propellant (XM46). Shock loads were produced by impacting small (<1 cu cm) XM46 samples with thin (0.075-0.375 mm) Mylar flyer plates. The flyer plates were accelerated to velocities near 1 mm/microsec by the expansive forces of an exploding foil, a technique referred to as an 'electric gun.' A detailed description of the design of the gun developed for this study is provided. The performance of the apparatus was characterized in visualization experiments and via CTH (hydrocode) simulations. In spectroscopy experiments, the XM46 samples were probed at various delays following impact via laser-induced Raman scattering and fluorescence. A signature that may be attributable to NO2 was observed, but cavitation was induced ahead of the shock wave, limiting our ability to establish the role of chemical intermediate formation in the shock-induced initiation of XM46. Issues in configuring experiments to detect chemical intermediate formation in shock loaded samples via real-time, optically based spectroscopies are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA341105
Entities
People
- H. Burden
- M. J. Mcquaid
- W. Lawrence
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory