Title :
Experiments to define plasma-propellant interactions
Author :
Beyer, R.A. ; Pesce-Rodriguez, R.A.
Author_Institution :
Army Res. Lab., Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
Abstract :
A series of experiments has been performed to contribute to the process of fully characterizing the interaction between a hot plasma igniter and gun propellant such as occurs in electrothermal-chemical (ETC) guns. Diagnostics include pressure generation records for different interaction geometries and chemical analysis of residual propellants following plasma exposure. It is found that ignition times vary substantially by propellant even within similar classes of materials. Subsurface chemical activity has been recorded.
Keywords :
ballistics; electric ignition; electrothermal launchers; military systems; ETC guns; electrothermal-chemical guns; gun propellant; hot plasma igniter; interaction geometries; plasma exposure; plasma-propellant interactions; pressure generation records; residual propellants; subsurface chemical activity; Chemical analysis; Ignition; Plasma chemistry; Plasma devices; Plasma diagnostics; Plasma materials processing; Plasma measurements; Plasma properties; Plasma temperature; Propulsion;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TMAG.2002.805853
