Investigations of the mechanical response of dummy HTPB propellant grain under ultrahigh acceleration overload conditions using onboard flight-test measurements

In this paper,to study the mechanical responses of a solid propellant subjected to ultrahigh acceleration overload during the gun-launch process,specifically designed projectile flight tests with an onboard measurement system were performed.Two projectiles containing dummy HTPB propellant grains were successfully recovered after the flight tests with an ultrahigh acceleration overload value of 8100 g.The onboard-measured time-resolved axial displacement,contact stress and overload values were successfully obtained and analysed.Uniaxial compression tests of the dummy HTPB propellant used in the gunlaunched tests were carried out at low and intermediate strain rates to characterize the propellant's dynamic properties.A linear viscoelastic constitutive model was employed and applied in finite-element simulations of the projectile-launching process.During the launch process,the dummy propellant grain exhibited large deformation due to the high acceleration overload,possibly leading to friction between the motor case and propellant grain.The calculated contact stress showed good agreement with the experimental results,though discrepancies in the overall displacement of the dummy propellant grain were observed.The dynamic mechanical response process of the dummy propellant grain was analysed in detail.The results can be used to estimate the structural integrity of the analysed dummy propellant grain during the gun-launch process.

Design of Fin-propeller Test Set-up and Analysis of Roll Stabilization Ability

Presents the fin-propeller test set-up to solve the problem of roll stabilization with ships in full speed range, withwhich, tests were run in water rank for acquisition of data, and concludes from data acquired that the fin-propeller test set-up produces more lift than simple fin, and provides lateral thrust as well, and it is therefore an effective roll stabilization devicefor ships in full speed range.

Use of A Shatter Test Vessel to Assess Propellant Safety

At low temperatures,gun propellant grains may become brittle and this can lead to fracture or shatter of the grains during gun firing.Should this event occur then it will result in an increase in the burning surface of the propellant and will give rise to a change in ballistic performance.Also,if the resultant over pressure is sufficient,a breech failure may result.Understanding the propensity of a grain to fracture or shatter is therefore important in determining its safety in use.This document describes a test that may be used to derive knowledge and to quantify the physical behaviour of a gun propellant grain at the low temperatures at which fracture or shatter is most likely to occur.

Experimental Study of the Collective and Cyclic Pitch Propeller for an Underwater Vehicle

A series of experimental studies of the innovative propulsor named Collective and Cyclic Pitch Propeller(CCPP) applied to an underwater vehicle were designed and performed at the Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania. The bollard pull and captive model tests were conducted to investigate the characteristics of CCPP and to examine the effect of different parameter settings to its performance. The results show that the CCPP is able to generate effective manoeuvring forces in various operational condition. In addition, the obtained results in the form of force coefficients provide a useful empirical model for the simulation and control of an underwater vehicle equipped with this propulsor.

First Systematic Testing Platform for Pressurization Feed System Developed for Liquid Rocket Propellant in China

Beijing Aerospace System Engineering Institute of China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) declared recently that theinstitute has set up a laboratory whichwould operate a newly

Experimental Investigation on Basic Prototype of Solid Propellant Impulsive Microthrusters

A new type of impulsive microthruster and its measurement system were designed for the aim of testing the performance of a basic prototype of solid propellant impulsive microthruster. Two sets of tests were conducted. The tests show that the ignitor and the main charge of the microthruster match well, the dynamic and static capability of the test and measurement meets the test requirement and the result is creditable. The measured technical characteristics of the microthruster are that the ignition delay time is shorter than 0 3?ms, the total impulse is over 3?N·s, the operational time is shorter than 16?ms and the mass ratio of the thruster is 0 216.

DAMAGE OF A HIGH-ENERGY SOLID PROPELLANT AND ITS EFFECTS ON COMBUSTION

In order to improve the safety of high-energy solid propellants, a study is carried out for the effects of damage on the combustion of the NEPE (Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether) propellant. The study includes: (1) to introduce damage into the propellants by means of a large-scale drop-weight apparatus; (2) to observe microstructural variations of the propellant with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and then to characterize the damage with density measurements; (3) to investigate thermal decomposition; (4) to carry out closed-bomb tests. The NEPE propellant can be considered as a viscoelastic material. The matrices of damaged samples axe severely degraded, but the particles are not. The results of the thermal decomposition and closed-bomb tests show that the microstructural damage in the propellant affects its decomposition and burn rate.

Influence of Firing Temperature on Properties of Gun Propellants

Initial firing temperatures play an important role on the combustion rate of propellant. In gun propellants, initial temperature is a key factor for both accuracy and safety. Ideally, the initial temperature of the propellant should not influence the ballistic properties of the round. Nevertheless, constant initial temperature coefficients can not be achieved easily. This work focuses on the influence of the firing temperature on the ballistic properties, the mechanical integrity and the sensitivity to impact of nitrocellulose based propellants. Combustion rates have been determined by closed vessel tests. Ballistic properties have been investigated by firing 5.56 cartridges. The propellants have been conditioned at temperatures ranging from -54 ℃ to ＋71 ℃ before firing. The largest temperature coefficient is observed at high temperatures. The temperature sensitivity of the peak pressure in the combustion chamber can not be fully explained by the results from the closed vessel test. The authors speculated that the mechanical behaviour of the propellant grains at low temperatures influences also the overall ballistic properties of the round. Impact tests with propellants conditioned at low and high temperatures permit to investigate their mechanical strength under extreme temperatures and to better understand the propellant performance during firing. Tests on aged propellants have been conducted as well.

A Study of Estimating the Safe Storage Life, Self-accelerating Decomposition Temperature and Critical Temperature of Thermal Explosion of Double-base Propellant Using Isothermal and Non-isothermal Decomposition Behaviours

A method of estimating the safe storage life （τ）, self-accelerating decomposition temperature （TsADT） and critical temperature of thermal explosion （Tb） of double-base propellant using isothermal and non-isothermal decomposition behaviours is presented. For double-base propellant composed of 56±1wt% of nitrocellulose （NC）, 27±0.5wt% of nitroglycerine （NG）, 8.15±0.15wt% of dinitrotoluene （DNT）, 2.5±0.1wt% of methyl centralite, 5.0±0.15wt% of catalyst and 1.0±0.1wt% of other, the values of r of 49.4 years at 40℃, of TSAOT of 151.35℃ and of Tb of 163.01℃ were obtained.

The properties of Sn-Zn-Al-La fusible alloy for mitigation devices of solid propellant rocket motors

The Al and La elements are added to the Sn9Zn alloy to obtain the fusible alloy for the mitigation devices of solid propellant rocket motors. Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), metallographic analysis,scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), tensile testing and fracture analysis were used to study the effect of Al and La elements on the microstructure, melting characteristics, and mechanical properties of the Sn9Zn alloy. Whether the fusible diaphragm can effectively relieve pressure was investigated by the hydrostatic pressure at high-temperature test. Experimental results show that the melting point of the Sn9Zn-0.8Al0·2La and Sn9Zn-3Al0·2La fusible alloys can meet the predetermined working temperature of ventilation. The mechanical properties of those are more than 35% higher than that of the Sn9Zn alloy at-50°C-70°C, and the mechanical strength is reduced by 80% at 175°C. It is proven by the hydrostatic pressure at high-temperature test that the fusible diaphragm can relieve pressure effectively and can be used for the design of the mitigation devices of solid propellant rocket motors.

Comparative analysis of the effects of gunpowder and plasma ignition in closed vessel tests

This paper presents the results of a comparative investigation into the effects of the ignition method on the ballistic properties of a single-base gun propellant,as determined via closed vessel tests.Conventional gunpowder ignition and plasma jet ignition methods were used,and differences in the ignition time were analysed.The influence of the ignition method on the dynamic vivacity is discussed.It is shown that this influence is significant in the first phase of the combustion process,and with respect to the low values of the loading density.In the second phase of the combustion process,and for large values of the loading density,the dynamic vivacity plots for the two ignition methods converge.Regarding the burning law,close values of the exponent were obtained for the two ignition methods.The dynamic vivacity plots determined for plasma ignition reveal stronger dependence on the loading density than those determined for gunpowder ignition.The conclusion is that plasma ignition is not a solution to the problems inherent to the process of determining the ballistic properties of propellants,which results in deviation of the burning process from the geometric burning law.

200 N推力装置上肼类分解催化剂的应用性能

研究制备了一种单组元姿轨控发动机用肼类分解催化剂,采用200 N推力装置对其应用性能进行了研究和考察。在催化剂物化性能指标满足应用要求的基础上,利用200 N推力装置通过力学环境试验考察了催化剂力学环境适应性,通过双-10℃低温冷启动、低温稳态及脉冲、正负拉偏以及脉冲寿命热试考核程序考察了自制催化剂的低温冷启动性能、低温稳态性能、常温正负拉偏稳态性能以及脉冲寿命性能。结果表明:该催化剂肼催化分解效率在99%以上,机械强度高且力学环境适应性良好,具有较高的肼催化分解活性和稳定性,能够在200 N推力装置上于双-10℃正常启动,顺利完成了低温稳态、常温正负拉偏和脉冲寿命等考核程序,发动机室压平稳,响应特性良好,脉冲一致性好,可满足推力装置的使用要求。

2/1樟单基发射药的真空与非真空环境安定性试验可替代性研究

基于深空探测用单基发射药在外太空中要经受长时间真空、温度交变等复杂的太空环境,而现有标准的安定性评估方法对其不适用的情况,设计了2/1樟单基发射药在75℃高温真空和非真空条件下的对比试验,测试双环境应力下药剂的安定剂含量、热分解性能及药剂成分等安定性敏感参量。结果表明:在试验周期10d内,药剂在75℃真空和非真空的试验环境下,其二苯胺含量、分解温度和氮含量等参数无显著性差异。本研究可为单基发射药在复杂多变环境下的安定性评估提供参考。

仿生学锯齿桨叶降噪效果试验研究

以仿生学结构改善发动机的气动性能和噪声水平是当前绿色航空的研究热点,对控制对转螺旋桨的气动噪声具有重要的工程应用价值。本文通过地面声学环境下的气动噪声试验研究了仿生学锯齿结构对转螺旋桨的降噪特性,并测试了锯齿结构桨叶和基准桨的拉力、扭矩等气动性能和远场噪声指向性。试验结果表明,所设计的锯齿结构没有引起基准桨的气动性能损失,可以在保持气动性能的同时开展降噪设计。锯齿结构在4000~12000Hz频率区间,没有改变基准桨叶的噪声指向性特征,最大降噪量超过5dB;在所测转速工况的一阶通过频率、二阶通过频率处没有明显的降噪效果。这进一步说明锯齿结构对宽频噪声有降噪效果,对低频段的离散噪声降噪效果不明显。

考虑细观损伤的推进剂粘弹性多尺度本构模型研究

为了深入研究固体推进剂细观损伤行为及对其宏观力学性能的影响,在223~333 K温度下对硝酸酯增塑聚醚推进剂(NEPE)推进剂开展了单轴拉伸和应力松弛试验,获得了相应的应力应变曲线及松弛模量主曲线。在有限变形下开发了考虑细观损伤的非线性粘弹性本构模型,该模型通过将微空洞演化与温度、应变率、围压及循环加载损伤等因素关联实现对推进剂力学性能的多尺度分析。通过有限元软件ABAQUS对模型进行了二次开发,并基于试验数据确定了模型参数,之后将模型应用于预测推进剂在不同加载下的力学响应。结果表明,该模型能够准确预测推进剂在宽温(223~333 K)和加载速率(1~200 mm·min^(-1))下的单轴拉伸响应,并且适用于循环加载、围压试验和双轴加载试验,验证了该模型在复杂应力状态下的有效性。该模型所需参数较少且易于嵌入商用软件,可为发动机推装药结构完整性的多尺度分析提供一定的理论指导。

不同航速下螺旋桨对船舶操纵水动力的影响研究

通过数学模型进行船舶操纵性预报是常用的方法,以往的约束模试验通常仅在设计航速下进行,且MMG船舶操纵运动模型通常认为螺旋桨对船舶操纵水动力的影响可以忽略。但船舶在实际操纵运动的过程中航速会发生很大变化,螺旋桨对船舶操纵水动力的影响可能变得不可忽略,因此有必要开展相关船舶操纵水动力的研究。以KVLCC2为研究对象,对其裸船体、船-舵、船-桨和船-桨-舵系统分别进行不同航速下的约束模试验数值模拟,研究了不同航速下螺旋桨对船舶操纵水动力的影响。研究结果表明:螺旋桨对船舶操纵水动力的影响不可忽略,该影响随着船舶航速的减小而增大,但舵的存在会减弱其影响;螺旋桨对舵效有着较大影响,该影响随着船舶航速的减小也会明显增大。因此在进行船舶操纵性研究时,有必要进行非设计航速下的相关约束模试验。

小型巡飞弹螺旋桨气动优化设计

小型巡飞弹螺旋桨桨叶尺寸较小,桨毂占比较大,螺旋桨性能易受桨毂影响。小型巡飞弹实际飞行螺旋桨转速偏高,航时不够,且螺旋桨风洞试验测试结果、设计计算结果以及实际飞行数据差异较大。针对计算结果不吻合的问题,开展了试验构型的数值模拟,结果表明桨毂产生较大的负拉力和扭矩,是造成螺旋桨效率下降、转速上升的主要原因。根据计算结果,本文给出了巡航工况下桨毂拉力及扭矩的修正公式及螺旋桨优化设计思路。针对试验数据不吻合的问题,设计了巡飞弹推进系统风洞试验,成功解决了来流干扰,获得了准确的测试结果。为了提升螺旋桨效率,根据螺旋桨涡流理论推导了螺旋桨计算模型,以巡航工况效率为优化目标,爬升工况推力及反扭矩为约束条件,利用遗传算法工具箱开展了螺旋桨气动外形优化设计,并通过推进系统风洞试验进行了验证。试验结果表明优化设计有效,巡飞工况下螺旋桨效率提升了17.2%。

应变率对高固含量HTPB推进剂力学特性与破坏机制的影响

通过不同拉伸速率下的单轴拉伸力学性能试验,研究了应变率与90%固含量(固体颗粒的质量分数)HTPB推进剂力学性能之间的相关性,并采用扫描电镜对拉伸断面进行了观察,分析了应变率对推进剂力学性能和破坏机制的影响。结果表明,在低应变率条件下,推进剂的应力—应变曲线出现了弧段现象;随着应变率增加,推进剂应力—应变曲线逐渐由5段式变为4段式;推进剂的初始模量、最大抗拉强度随应变率的增大呈现出上升趋势;推进剂的最大延伸率随应变率增大呈现出降低趋势,在应变率为1190.48×10^(-4)s^(-1)时最大延伸率仅为33.9%;随着应变率增大,高固含量HTPB推进剂的破坏机制逐渐由颗粒“脱湿”转变为基体撕裂,无颗粒破碎产生。

基于热减量法2/1樟发射药安全贮存寿命预估

目的 预估2/1樟发射药的安全贮存寿命,建立一种基于加速热减量试验,利用热减量曲线和贝瑟洛特(Berthelot)方程预估其安全贮存寿命的方法。方法 首先对2/1樟发射药分别进行85、95、105、115℃下的加速热减量试验,获得样品在各个温度下不同加速时间的热减量数据。然后基于热减量曲线,得到2/1樟发射药在各个温度下的延滞期。最后利用各个温度下的半延滞期,根据Berthelot方程拟合得到2/1樟发射药安全贮存寿命预估模型。结果 根据其安全贮存寿命预估模型计算得到2/1樟发射药在30℃下的安全贮存寿命约为50.9 a。结论 预测结果与文献值接近,且试验时间比文献减少了近1/2,验证了该方法的有效性,可为2/1樟发射药或其他发射药的安全贮存寿命预估提供一种可行的技术途径。

国外固体火箭发动机药柱结构完整性评估技术发展及启示

药柱结构完整性评估对于固体火箭发动机的设计和使用维护至关重要。文章第一部分以二十年为一个阶段,回顾了美国从20世纪50年代到本世纪初药柱结构完整性评技术的发展历史。每个阶段按发展重点,从黏弹性理论分析、强度失效、试验测试方法、药柱状态监测及老化性能研究等角度进行了概述,分析了技术演变过程和相互关系。第二部分,分析了美国药柱结构完整性评估技术发展历程对固体推进剂性能试验技术、固体推进剂数值方法、失效评估及寿命预估四个关键问题研究带来的启示,讨论了固体推进剂及粘接界面性能表征方法、多尺度本构与仿真技术、高精度失效评估与寿命预测、药柱结构验证性试验技术以及跨学科方法的发展趋势。