A new hypervelocity shotgun

This paper presents a technique for launching multiple, hypervelocity projectiles in a predictable pattern. The technique has been successfully applied to collections of 4–42 projectiles launched at velocities of 2 to 5 km/s. The projectile dispersion is obtained by impairing a pre-determined radial impulse to the collection of projectiles as the sabot exits the gun muzzle.     

Cavity and crater depth in hypervelocity impact

We discuss the depth of cavities and craters caused by hypervelocity impacts as a function of impact parameters such as impact velocity, projectile and target densities, and projectile diameter, in two extreme cases: the penetration of intact projectiles at low impact pressure and the hemispherical excavation at very high impact pressure. The relations between the depth and the impact parameters are obtained. Then, previous experimental results are compiled; crater depth normalized by projectile diameter and the ratio of projectile and target densities is plotted for glass, plastic, and metal projectiles and metal, rock, ice, foam, sheet-stack, and aerogel targets. The trends of the data are consistent with the relations in the extreme cases.     

Intact capture of hypervelocity projectiles

The ability to capture projectiles intact at hypervelocities opens new applications in science and technology that would either not be possible or would be very costly by other means. This capability has been demonstrated in the laboratory for aluminum projectiles of 1.6 mm diameter, captured at 6 km/s, in one unmelted piece, and retaining up to 95% of the original mass. Furthermore, capture was accomplished passively using microcellular underdense polymer foam. Another advantage of capturing projectiles in an underdense medium is the ability of such a medium to preserve a record of the projectile's original velocity components of speed and direction. A survey of these experimental results is described in terms of a dozen parameters which characterize the amount of capture and the effect on the projectile due to different capture media.     

椭球弹丸超高速撞击防护屏碎片云数值模拟

低地球轨道的各类航天器易受到微流星体及空间碎片的超高速撞击.本文采用AUTODYN软件进行了椭球弹丸超高速正撞击及斜撞击防护屏碎片云的数值模拟.给出了三维模拟的结果.研究了在相同质量的条件下,不同长径比椭球弹丸以不同速度和入射角撞击防护屏所产生碎片云的特性,并与球形弹丸撞击所应产生的碎片云特性进行了比较.结果表明:在相同的速度下,不同长径比椭球弹丸撞击的碎片云形状、质量分布和破碎程度是不同的,随撞击入射角的增加弹丸的破碎程度增大,滑弹碎片云的数量增加;随撞击速度的增加,弹丸的破碎程度也增加.     

Debris clouds generated by hypervelocity impact of cylindrical projectiles with thin aluminum plates

Orthogonal, flash x rays were used to observe the debris clouds produced by the hypervelocity impact of cylindrical aluminum projectiles with thin aluminum sheets or bumpers. Three major structural features were observed in the debris clouds--a front cone, a bulbous main debris cloud, and an inner cone. Inclination of the projectile at impact changed the orientation of these features and the severity of damage to the rear wall of a double-sheet structure; projectiles with the greatest inclination produced the most damage. Two experiments, using aluminum and copper as projectile and target or target and projectile, respectively, were performed to determine the source of material in each of the three structural features of the debris clouds. The front cone and main cloud were shown to consist of bumper debris while the inner cone was composed of projectile fragments.     

高速粒子撞击作用下LF6合金多层靶结构防护能力研究

针对总厚度为４ｍｍ的ＬＦ６合金双层靶和总厚度为２ｍｍ的三层靶进行了直径为２ｍｍ,速度分别为５．８和７．２ｋｍ／ｓ的ＧＣｒ１５粒子 撞击试验,并对双层靶进行了不同前靶厚度和靶间距的撞击试验,试验结果表明：与同样碰撞条件下半无限体靶上产生的破坏情况相比,多层靶被击穿的总厚度远淖于半无限体靶上形成的弹坑深度,采用多层靶结构可显著提高材料的抗高速粒子撞击能力,并大大降低航天器抗高速粒子撞击的防护结构的重量     

Speciation of sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite using kiloelectronvolt energy atomic and polyatomic and megaelectronvolt energy atomic projectiles with secondary ion mass spectrometry

The negative-ion mass spectra produced by kiloelectronvolt energy (CsI)nCs+ (n = 0-2) and megaelectronvolt energy 252Cf fission fragment projectile impacts on NaNO3 and NaNO2 were collected and compared. The mass spectra generated by impacts of the kiloelectronvolt polyatomic primary ions on NaNO3 were markedly different from those derived from the fission fragment impacts, featuring higher relative intensities of nitrate (NO3-) specific secondary ions (those that reflect the sample stoichiometry). The most prominent secondary ion (SI) peaks produced from NaNO3 by the kiloelectronvolt energy projectiles were NO3- and Na(NO3)2-, both of which relate directly back to the chemical composition of the staring material. Likewise, the most prominent peaks produced by the kiloelectronvolt energy polyatomic projectile impacts on NaNO2 were NO2- and Na(NO2)2-. The fission fragment projectiles produced SI spectra from NaNO3 that were dominated by signals characteristic more of NaNO2, indicating that the megaelectronvolt energy ions induce considerable degradation of the nitrate solid. In addition, the fission fragment projectile produced relative negative SI intensity distributions that are remarkably similar to those reported in earlier studies of the use of laser desorption to produce SI signals from NaNO3. Of the projectiles examined in this study, the 20 keV (CsI)Cs+ projectile generated negative-ion mass spectra that best differentiated NaNO3 and NaNO2, primarily by producing a base peak in the NaNO3 spectrum that was unambiguously representative of the original sample stoichiometry.     

Problems associated with launching hypervelocity projectiles from the fast shock tube

Modeling and experiments are being done with the goal of understanding the physics of projectile acceleration at high driving pressures (megabar range) and short acceleration times (a few microseconds) well enough to design and test successful hypervelocity launch systems. The Fast Shock Tube, a cylindrically convergent high-explosive driver, has been used to accelerate projectiles. Detailed modeling of the experiments, including high-pressure gas flow, projectile instability, and projectile fracture, has been done with the MESA/2D code. Modeling results show quantitative agreement with the average behavior of the system. However, details of projectile behavior are not predicted well. Observed velocity distributions across the diameter of a projectile or projectile shapes are only in qualitative agreement with calculations. This, then, presents the major constraint on the successful design of a launch system: that the processes that limit projectile integrity depend on the details of the drive conditions, and these details are not quantitatively modeled at this time.     

基于A-T模型的长杆弹超高速侵彻陶瓷靶体强度分析

Alekseevskii-Tate(A-T)模型广泛应用于长杆弹超高速冲击的终点效应分析中。A-T模型对于金属弹靶强度有明确的表达式,而对于陶瓷靶体强度尤其是弹体初始冲击速度大于1 500 m/s时还没有统一的结论。基于长杆钨弹超高速(1 500~5 000 m/s)侵彻三种陶瓷(Al N,B4C,Si C)/铝复合靶体的缩比逆弹道实验数据;基于A-T模型,给出了上述陶瓷材料在不同侵彻速度范围内的靶体强度表达式。进一步通过与47发长杆钨弹超高速(1 250~2 500 m/s)侵彻陶瓷(Al N,B4C,Si C,AD85)/RHA钢复合靶体DOP实验数据对比,验证了提出的陶瓷靶体强度表达式的适用性。     

A simple defense conservative model for mass requirements of hypervelocity projectile impact shields for reentry vehicles

Simple analytical modeling of the physics of interaction of hypervelocity (50–100 km/s) projectiles with a bumper shield countermeasure is given. The interaction of projectile and bumper is discussed briefly. Expansion of bumper/projectile debris in the region between bumper and underlying vehicle and interaction of bumper/projectile debris cloud with vehicle are examined. Expansion of debris is treated as an expansion superimposed upon a translation with partition derived from a simple inelastic collision model. The effect of nonunity aspect ratio of compressed debris is included. Debris colliding elastically with the vehicle will impart momentum equal to twice the incident normal component. A steady-state diffusion model is used to estimate the effect of stagnation radiative loss on collision elasticity. Impulse may be reduced up to a factor of 2 by stagnation radiative losses for small projectiles and large bumper/vehicle stand-off. Stagnation radiation loss is small for larger projectiles and smaller stand-off. Impulse can be enhanced by vehicle ablation from radiative coupling, shock heating (inadequate stand-off), or liquid droplet microcratering (inadequate bumper thickness). Estimates of required bumper mass are given for a specific example.     

圆柱形长杆超高速正碰撞薄板结构破碎效应

超高速碰撞多层板结构破碎效应研究对空间碎片防护及动能武器毁伤效应研究有着重要意义。采用ANSYS/AUTODYN程序的SPH方法,对超高速碰撞碎片云的形成过程进行了数值模拟,某典型时刻一次及二次碎片云形貌的数值模拟结果与实验结果吻合较好,验证了计算方法和模型参数的正确性。在此基础上采用数值模拟方法,对钨合金、轧制均质装甲(Rolled Homogeneous Armor,RHA)及LY12铝三种材料的圆柱形弹体超高速碰撞薄板的破碎规律进行了研究,基于量纲分析方法得出了弹体破碎长度随弹靶材料特性、弹靶尺寸及初始撞击速度变化的关系式。并研究了钨合金及RHA两种材料的长杆弹对八层RHA板结构的超高速碰撞效应。     

Crater distribution on the rear wall of AL-Whipple shield by hypervelocity impacts of AL-spheres

All spacecraft in low orbit are subject to hypervelocity impact by meteoroids and space debris, which can in turn lead to significant damage and catastrophic failure. In order to simulate and study the hypervelocity impact of space debris on spacecraft through hypervelocity impact on AL-Whipple shield, a two-stage light gas gun was used to launch 2017-T4 aluminum alloy sphere projectiles. The projectile diameters ranged from 2.51 mm to 5.97 mm and impact velocities ranged from 0.69 km/s to 6.98 km/s. The modes of crater distribution on the rear wall of AL-Whipple shield by hypervelocity impact of AL-spheres in different impact velocity ranges were obtained. The characteristics of the crater distribution on the rear wall were analyzed. The forecast equations for crater distribution on the rear wall of AL-Whipple shield by normal hypervelocity impact were derived. The results show that the crater distribution on the rear wall is a circular area. As projectile diameter, impact velocity and shielding spacing increased, the area of crater distribution increased. The critical fragmentation velocity of impact projectile is an important factor affecting the characteristics of the crater distributions on the rear wall.     

Hypervelocity penetration of plate targets by rod and rod-like projectiles

This paper has summarized the results of experimental tests and analytical studies of the hypervelocity impact of rod and rod-like projectiles which were conducted at the Naval Research Laboratory. The results presented here provide relatively simple analytic expressions from which one can calculate the results of a hypervelocity impact of a rod or rod-like projectile even into complex targets under most impact configurations of interest. The methodology does require a knowledge of certain empirical constants which depend on the projectile and target materials. For those cases where the values of these constants have not been provided, they can easily be determined by performing a relatively few experimental impacts.     

Simulations of hypervelocity impact damage and fracture of aluminum targets using a constitutive-microdamage material model

The material damage and fracture of Aluminum 1100 target plates that experience hypervelocity impact by glass projectiles traveling at 6 km/s are simulated using a proposed constitutive-microdamage material model. The model is best suited for polycrystalline metals that are subject to hypervelocity impact at the lower range of velocities. Simulations are performed for three projectile diameter-target thickness ratios that produce a wide range of damage features. The predicted damage is compared with that of the corresponding test laboratory specimens, illustrating the capability of the constitutive-microdamage model.     

A review of explosive accelerators for hypervelocity impact

A technical overview of experimental methods using high explosive techniques for conducting hypervelocity impact studies is presented. The explosive techniques use the explosive detonation fronts as means of accelerating the projectile, or as means of compressing a light gas which is then used to launch the projectile.

The explosive launchers are in six subdivisions: high explosive pellet accelerators, flyer plate accelerators, shaped charges, explosive-formed projectiles, fragment and microparticle accelerators, and explosive gas guns. Each one of the subdivisions presents the various techniques, their advantages and disadvantages, the range of mass and velocity capable of being accelerated, and whether the technique can be scaled for larger or smaller masses.     

Oblique hypervelocity impacts into graphite

Investigations have been conducted into the morphology of craters formed by impacts of aluminium and HDPE projectiles at oblique angles to graphite target plates. The experiments were conducted with a two-stage gas gun capable of launching projectiles of differing density and strength to speeds of about 6 kms⁻¹ at right angles into target plates. It was found that, as the impact angle is decreased from the normal, the crater dimensions scaled as the normal component of the impact velocity as predicted by the ‘2/3 power law’ until a critical normal velocity was reached below which the conditions for a hypervelocity impact no longer apply. In this regime, new scaling laws were derived for the crater dimensions. It was also possible to identify a fragmentation angle below which the projectile remains intact as it ricochets across the target surface.     

Development of a scramaccelerator based hypervelocity launcher

The Scramaccelerator, a novel type of supersonic-combustion, tube-based launcher has been developed that can accelerate projectiles to velocities of 3 to over 7 km/sec. Extremely flexible in application, the Scramaccelerator could launch impact specimens, wind tunnel specimens, projectiles, satellites, or spacecraft. This paper describes the technology demonstration of the concept by firing 120 gram projectiles into a 38 mm barrel at 2.8 to 3.2 km/sec at the Titan/CRT Impact Research Laboratory in Albuquerque. This technology promises an upward scalability beyond that of any conventional ballistic guns and electromagnetic launchers for high mass hypervelocity applications. It is the objective of this program to demonstrate the practical application of detonation physics to hypervelocity launchers. Critical test issues discussed include sabot seperation, venting requirements, Scramaccelerator tube requirements, and test performance. The current data indicate projectile accelerations were achieved in excess of 5,000 g's. Hence, these tests finally demonstrate that oblique detonation/supersonic combustion can be harnessed as a useful mechanism for hypervelocity propulsion. In addition, these tests demonstrate hypersonic propulsion at Mach numbers above 9, acceleration at greater than 3 kilometers per second, and system integration technology sufficient to accomplish this success. Scalability of the device allows for the hypervelocity launch of large masses.     

The shape effect of non-spherical projectiles in hypervelocity impacts

This paper provides qualitative and quantitative analyses of regular non-spherical projectile hypervelocity impacts on basic Whipple shields using test data obtained by light-gas guns, flat plate accelerators and shaped charge launchers. Surrogate cadmium and zinc test results are used to extend light-gas gun data beyond 8 km/s. Advanced Whipple shield derivatives are shown to be necessary to protect against non-spherical projectiles.     

Projectile density, impact angle and energy effects on hypervelocity impact damage to carbon fibre/peek composites

This paper explores the effects of projectile density, impact angle and energy on the damage produced by hypervelocity impacts on carbon fibre/PEEK composites. Tests were performed using the light gas gun facilities at the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, and the NASA Johnson Space Center two-stage light gas gun facilities at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Various density spherical projectiles impacted AS4/PEEK composite laminates at velocities ranging from 2.71 to 7.14 km/s. In addition, a series of tests with constant size aluminum projectiles (1.5 mm in diameter) impacting composite targets at velocities of 3, 4, 5 and 6 km/s was undertaken at incident angles of 0, 30 and 45 degrees. Similar tests were also performed with 2 mm aluminum projectiles impacting at a velocity of approximately 6 km/s. The damage to the composite was shown to be independent of projectile density; however, debris cloud damage patterns varied with particle density. It was also found that the entry crater diameters were more dependent upon the impact velocity and the projectile diameter than the impact angle. The extent of the primary damage on the witness plates for the normal incidence impacts was shown to increase with impact velocity, hence energy. A series of tests exploring the shielding effect on the witness plate showed that a stand-off layer of Nextel fabric was very effective at breaking up the impacting debris cloud, with the level of protection increasing with a non-zero stand-off distance.     

Micrometeorite impact simulation at EMI — a review

Activities at EMI in the field of hypervelocity impact techniques are reported. Optimization experiments have been carried out with a light gas gun in order to achieve projectile velocities up to 10 km/s. Different methods for measuring the projectile velocities have been developed and adapted according to respective velocity and mass ranges of projectiles. Experimental efforts have been undertaken to accelerate also microgram particles in light gas guns. Masses as small as 37 μg can be accelerated as individual particles. As examples, several contributions to recent space projects are described.