Electrical properties of sulfur hexaflouride in explosive generator environments

Explosive magnetic flux compression generator (FCG) environments are simulated with expendable, stagnated shock, explosively driven shock tubes. Calculations were made to determine the velocity at which the armature approaches the stator in a typical explosive generator. A shock tube was designed to propel a flyer plate at a similar velocity towards a dense anvil to approximate the shock compression between the armature and stator. Initial experiments using argon and helium, gases with known properties, have been performed to verify shock tube modeling and experimental technique.