Plasma-Propellant Interactions
Abstract
In one series of experiments, see Sections 1-6, plasma/propellant interactions were studied. Four different propellants (see Section 3) were placed at chosen distances from the discharge. The discharges were made either in a high pressure vessel or at ambient pressures. In some cases, the propellant was at room temperature and in others at elevated temperature. Additionally, attempts were made to quench burning propellant. Optical and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), see Section 2.5, were used to study the propellant surfaces. Evidence was found for loss of material due to burning, droplets of the wire materials, fracture of the propellant I surfaces, grain growth in the heated samples, bubble formation in the binder material and fibre-like structures and fern-like structures in the quenched samples. Of particular interest were the droplets which, from their appearance, had clearly impacted the propellant in the molten state. The remains of the droplets were often found in small craters suggesting that the molten wire material had caused reaction. The droplets ranged in diameter up to ^30 microns which is of the required size to cause ignition. Section 7 describes experiments on the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT). In addition to data on "conventional", so-called Type I DDT, we give evidence for a different mechanism (Type II DDT) which occurs with small particles packed to low density. Finally, an apparatus has been designed and built for studies of gas permeation through an explosive in granular form.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA419869
Entities
People
- C. Dobson
- M. J. Gifford
- M. W. Greenaway
- P. Kalafatis
- W. G. Proud
Organizations
- University of Cambridge