The Role of Manufacturing Defects in Munition Component Failures

Abstract

The US Army Research Laboratory performs numerous failure analysis investigations on munition-related components. Many of these failures are attributable to defects that can be traced back to the manufacturing process. This paper will discuss the impact of these defective parts making their way into service. Munition component failures are very costly, and may seriously affect the safety and readiness of the fleet, as well as leading to a system grounding depending on the severity of the problem. Typical defects included those associated with the material, forging, casting, welding, and heat treatment processes. Also, dimensional anomalies have been noted. Specific examples of component failures will include bomb fin retaining bands, general-purpose bomb suspension lugs, missile launcher attachment bolts, cluster bomb tailcones, general-purpose bomb fins, and Gatling gun breech bolt assemblies. In addition, this paper will focus on the importance of proper manufacturing techniques in this industry.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 05, 2001
Accession Number
ADP013485

Entities

People

  • Marc S. Pepi

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Assembly
  • Bombs
  • Castings
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Chemistry
  • Electron Microscopy
  • General Purpose Bombs
  • Hardness
  • Heat Treatment
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Resistance
  • Stress Corrosion Cracking
  • Tensile Strength
  • Tensile Testing

Readers

  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • ballistics.