Damage to metallic samples produced by measured lightning currents
A total of 10 samples disks of 2024-T3 aluminum and 4130 ferrous steel were exposed to rocket-triggered lightning currents at the Kennedy Space Center test site in Florida during the summer of 1990. The experimental configuration was arranged so that the samples were not exposed to the preliminary streamer, wire-burn, or following currents that are associated with an upward-initiated rocket-triggered flash but which are a typical of naturally initiated lightning. Return-stroke currents and continuing currents actually attaching to the sample were measured, augmented by close-up video recordings of approximately 3 feet of the channel above the sample and by 16-mm movies with 5-ms resolution. From these data it was possible to correlate individual damage spots with streamer, return-stroke, and continuing currents that produced them. Substantial penetration of 80-mil aluminum was produced by a continuing current of submedian amplitude and duration, and full penetration of a 35-mil steel sample occurred under an eightieth percentile continuing current. The primary purpose of the data acquired in these experiments is for use in improving and quantifying the fidelity of laboratory simulations of lighting burnthrough. 9 refs., 8 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOD; DOE/DP
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6296054
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-90-2252C; CONF-9104163--1; ON: DE91006777
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
42 ENGINEERING
420500* -- Engineering-- Materials Testing
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM BASE ALLOYS
CURRENTS
DAMAGE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LIGHTNING
MEASURING METHODS
SIMULATION
STEELS