Development of advanced ceramic matrix composite insulators for electromagnetic railguns

Stiff, erosion-resistant insulator materials are currently needed as bore insulators for electromagnetic railguns. A status review is given of an ongoing program to develop stiff, erosion-resistant ceramic composite materials capable of withstanding the severe mechanical, electrical, and thermal environment that exists in the bore of such devices. Analytical predictions were made in order to establish property goals. A wide variety of advanced ceramic composite insulator panels have been fabricated and tested. A railgun was modified to serve as a test device for evaluating the insulator materials. Work has been initiated to scale up the fabrication of selected advanced ceramic composite insulator parts to be tested in full-size railguns