Wear Reducing Additives
Abstract
An investigation into developing better additives for reducing gun barrel erosion was initiated by this laboratory. The investigation was prompted by the higher energy/density propellant formulations currently under development because these new propellants possibly could exacerbate gun barrel erosion. This report is a progress report that describes the initial results obtained with the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center's, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey erosion test fixture. Some erosion mechanisms and proposed ways to reduce or interfere with them are discussed. Three candidates were selected: K2CO3, CaCO3, and ZnCO3 and compared with the customary wear additive, TiO2. Based on the data, it was concluded that all selected candidates reduced wear caused by both M3O and JA2 propellants, but K2CO3 was ranked as most effective. The additives were also dispersed in silicone oil to form pastes. Five samples of K2CO3 paste was loaded into an experimental obturator design and test fired in a 155-mm gun. The resulting 4% decrease in heat flux suggested that paste loaded obturators may be a feasible method to reduce gun barrel wear, but further investigation is necessary to verify this assertion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410070
Entities
People
- A. J. Bracuti
- Richard Field
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center