An analysis of ballistic parameters/mechanisms affecting efficiency in electrothermal-chemical (ETC) guns

Author

Oberle, William F. ; Wren, Gloria P.

Author_Institution

US Army Res. Lab., Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA

Volume

33

Issue

1

fYear

1997

fDate

1/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

310

Lastpage

315

Abstract

Historically, electrothermal-chemical (ETC) gun firings have failed to achieve ballistic performance as measured by ballistic ratios (BRs) commensurate with those for conventional powder guns. In this paper, the ETC ballistic cycle is examined in an attempt to identify possible aspects of the ETC process leading to the lower-than-expected BRs. Results indicate that at least a partial answer may be the energy required to evaporate and dissociate the polyethylene and metal electrodes of the plasma capillary, state changes which occur in the combustion gases due to the higher temperatures of the plasma and radiative energy losses

Keywords

ballistics; combustion; electrothermal launchers; military equipment; projectiles; ballistic parameters; ballistic ratios; combustion gases; efficiency; electrothermal-chemical guns; metal electrodes; plasma capillary; polyethylene electrodes; radiative energy losses; state changes; Chemicals; Combustion; Electrothermal effects; Plasma accelerators; Plasma applications; Plasma chemistry; Plasma temperature; Projectiles; Propulsion; Weapons;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.559975

Filename

559975