Response of simulated propellants and explosives to projectile impact
This dissertation deals with experimental, analytical and numerical investigations into the response of two types of simulated propellants and explosives, known as Propergol, to projectile impact. The targets consisted of a polymeric mixture composed of potassium chloride, plaster of Paris and a polyurethane binder. Following the determination of the constitutive behavior of Propergol, experiments were conducted to study their penetration, perforation and fragmentation by projectiles. Both pneumatic and powder guns were employed in the tests, perfragmentation by projectiles. Both pneumatic and powder guns were employed in the tests, permitting impact velocities ranging from 40 to 1100 m/s, for flat- and conically-tipped as well as armor-piercing projectiles. The specimens include monolithic, composite and constrained Propergol circular disks and cylinders of 140 mm diameter with thicknesses ranging from 9 to 90 mm. Penetration tests were also conducted on model warheads loaded with the simulant material. Ballistic limit velocities for various target/projectile combinations were determined. Damage modes, such as cracking and fragmentation, were examined using experimental evidence including high-speed film data and microscopic photographs. Two types of fragments, Propergol clusters and crystalline particles, were recognized, and their size distributions were found to fit exponential functions. The dependent of fragment number and volume on initial projectile velocity was also studied. 103 refs., 172 figs., 19 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6062543
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-CR-106704; ON: DE91009777; CNN: SNPE-UCB-ENG-6059 SNPE-UCB-ENG-6553; SNPE-49/86; SNPE-38/87; SNPE-38/88
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
EXPLOSIVES
IMPACT TESTS
PROPELLANTS
A CODES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FRAGMENTATION
GUNS
GYPSUM CEMENTS
PENETRATORS
POLYMERS
POLYURETHANES
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
PROJECTILES
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SIMULATION
TARGETS
THEORETICAL DATA
THICKNESS
VELOCITY
WEAPONS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
COMPUTER CODES
DATA
DIMENSIONS
FUNCTIONS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL TESTS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYAMIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TESTING
450000* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense
450100 - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives