Instrumentation for the Electrothermomechanical Testing of Materials under Cyclic Loading
Abstract
Instrumentation for the Electrothermomechanical Testing of Materials under Cyclic Loading Abstract As the ONR Railgun Program has matured, interest has shifted from single-event shots, accumulating from the tens to hundreds of firings within a single core, to repetitive shots that similarly accumulate at a rate of up to ten rounds per minute. Acquisition of the instrumentation proposed through this DURIP grant will enable research to be conducted for use in identifying problem areas that may arise within a launcher from the cyclic loading of repetitive fire, while offering guidance into the development of wear prevention and control criteria of materials experiencing extremely high current densities. It is proposed that funds from the DURIP be used to upgrade an existing tribological electro-thermo-mechanical materials testbed that is suitable for employing sensors for studying high-current density contacts, and capable of advancing the fundamental understanding of an interface subjected to the cyclic stress and temperature fluctuations that result from a series of multiple, sequential loads. Armatures will be positioned in an upgraded breech of the testbed via an existing autoloader to enable a burst rate of ten shots per minute over a three-minute period; the purpose of which is to examine the effects that such firing has on system dynamics and thermal/fatigue phenomenology within the launcher core. To create the controlled electromagnetic fields needed to repetitively project armatures between rails within the testbed, it is proposed that an existing capacitor-based power supply be expanded and modified. Graduate students at Georgia Tech will play an integral part in the design and fabrication of the proposed instrumentation by working with the proposed vendor in developing the breech and thermal management module for cooling the power supply, as well as in the development of a laser-based system for measuring an anticipated increase in rail material wear. In addition to minimizing the cost of procurement, such an approach will enable the students to gain useful experience beyond the bounds of a classroom as they and their advisors prepare to use the testbed upon completion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512844
Entities
People
- Richard S. Cowan
Organizations
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy