Characterization and comparison of microstructures in the shaped-charge regime: Copper and tantalum

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Materials Characterization; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/1044-5803(93)90022-N· OSTI ID:6521267

Gurevitch, A C; Murr, L E; Shih, H K; Niou, C S; Advani, A H; Manuel, D ^[1]; Zernow, L ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Texas, El Paso (United States)
2. Zernow Technical Services, Inc., San Dimas, CA (United States)

Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques were employed, along with a novel technique for building up small, recovered jet fragments using electrodeposition of copper, to examine specific segments of fabricated shaped charge liner cones and corresponding, residual jet fragments. Oxygen-free electronic copper and tantalum shaped charge regimes (liner cones and recovered jet fragments) were compared, and a reduction in the average grain size of recovered jet fragments as compared to the starting liner cones was a consistent observation. The average grain sizes for all cones was 35 [mu]m, and the maximum grain reduction occurred for an annealed, equiaxed tantalum cone, which resulted in a residual jet fragment grain size between 1 and 5 [mu]m. This is indicative of dynamic recrystallization during jet elongation and microstructure evolution. The most recent US military use of shaped charges was in the high explosive antitank shells used in the 1990-1991 conflict with Iraq. Shaped charges are also used in the oil and gas industries, steel industries, mining and quarrying, specialty cutting, and perhaps most prominently in building demolition work within cities.

• OSTI ID: 6521267
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization; (United States), Vol. 30:3; ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
COPPER
MICROSTRUCTURE
SHAPED CHARGES
TANTALUM
GRAIN SIZE
OPTICAL MICROSCOPY
RECRYSTALLIZATION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIVES
METALS
MICROSCOPY
SIZE
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
360102* - Metals & Alloys- Structure & Phase Studies
450100 - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives