Parametric study of single confined fragment launch explosive device

In this article, parametric study of single confined fragment launch device was carried out. The configuration proposed was further studied to derive the empirical relationship for effect of fragment size,charge size, confinement thickness on fragment velocity. The simulations were carried out using ANSYSAUTODYNE explicit solver. Fragment velocities were estimated as a function of different parametric combinations of explosive quantities, charge length to diameter ratio, fragment height to diameter ratio,confinement thickness, fragment material and fragment mass. The data was further converted to charge to metal ratio under fragment and confinement. It was observed that, increase in confinement thickness,charge quantity and decrease in fragment height increases the fragment velocity. It is also noted that,charge to metal mass ratio under fragment significantly affects the fragment velocity. At the end, an empirical relationship for fragment velocity interms of all these parameters was established. Using these relations, two velocities 1831.92 m/s and 2523.9 m/s required for NATO STANAG 4496 IM test were estimated. The design parameters for these velocities are presented. Also, the results estimated using the empirical relationship has been compared with published experimental data. Error in the predicted velocities is within the acceptable range. The empirical relationship proposed will be useful for finalization of design of the fragment launch device.

Enhancement of seal life through carbon composite back-up rings under shock loading conditions in defence applications

The life of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber(NBR) O-ring seal having shore hardness of A70 and A90 under shock loading conditions was investigated by a specially designed pneumo-hydraulic shock test rig. Shock tests have been carried out on bare seals, seal with conventional polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) back-up rings and seal with newly developed carbon composite back-up rings to study its behaviour under different operating conditions until failure. Experiments were conducted by varying annular gap ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 mm, oil temperature from 30 ℃ to 70 ℃ and rate of pressure rise from 600 to 2400 MPa/s. Significant enhancement in seal life was observed with carbon composite back-up ring at reduced annular clearances compared to seal life with conventional PTFE back-up ring and without back-up rings.

Influence of welding consumables on tensile and impact properties of multi-pass SMAW Armox 500T steel joints vis-a-vis base metal

In this investigation, comparative study of tensile and impact properties of multi-pass SMAW Armox500 T steel joints fabricated by austenitic stainless steel(ASS) and low hydrogen ferritic steel(LHF)consumables vis-a-vis base metal was carried out. The tensile tests were conducted on computer controlled Walter t Bai Ag UTM at a nominal strain rate of 10à3 sà1. Subsequently, charpy impact tests were carried out on an instrumented Zwick-Roell test setup to obtain load vs. displacement and maximum energy absorbed vs. displacement of the specimen. It was observed that, the joint efficiency of weldment processed by LHF consumable was 41.7% and weldment processed by ASS was 30.6% of its base metal indicating the influence of electrode consumable on tensile properties of the joints. On the contrary, impact toughness of weldment processed by ASS was 20% more and weldment processed by LHF was 12% less than that of base metal. Microstructural studies also revealed that, ASS can be considered as a candidate welding consumable for good strain hardening and toughness of the welding joint in impact applications. However, LHF steel consumable is recommended for welding joints that requires higher joint efficiency under tensile loading conditions.