On the Mechanism of Exploding Wires

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1961 · Physics of Fluids (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1706424· OSTI ID:4031933

Nash, C. P.; McMillan, W. G.

Experimental measurements are given for the energy input and shock wave arrival times for 10-cm No. 40 Cu wires exploded in air at an initial voltage of 9.25 kv. Two shocks in air are observed, one for each pulse before and after the dark pause. Pause duration measurements are also reported for wire explosions in gaseous He, N₂' C₂, Ar, and CClF3 at 1 atm. Semiqusntiative theoretical explanations are proposed for the increase in wire resistunce which terminates the first current surge, and for the eIapsed time (pause duration) before the vapor density of the expanding wire material declines sufficiently for reignition of the discharge. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Davis
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-024144
• OSTI ID: 4031933
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids (New York), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids (New York) Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 4; ISSN 0031-9171; ISSN PFLDAS
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
ARGON
CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS
COMBUSTION
COPPER
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ENERGY
EXPLOSIONS
FLUORINATED HYDROCARBONS
GASES
HELIUM
MEASURED VALUES
METHANE
NITROGEN
OXYGEN
PHYSICS
PRESSURE
PULSES
SHOCK WAVES
VAPORS
WIRES