Experimental observations of aluminum particle combustion during hypervelocity water impact and penetration

Experiments conducted at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have investigated the reaction between Al shaped charge jets and underwater environments. Although many qualitative and semi-quantitative characteristics are known, including pressure field augmentation, light emission from combusting material, and oxide-containing powder residues, the actual combus- tion mechanism has not been isolated. The difficulty of studying combustion in this physical situation is due to the extremely transient nature of the combustion and the difficulty of implementing common diagnostics. This research presents a novel approach to isolating the combustion which occurs between particulated jet material traveling at high velocities (1500 - 3000 m/s) in underwater environments as would be found in shaped charge jet penetration. A method of accelerating small packets (10 mg - 20 mg) of Al particles using a light gas gun was developed to simulate conditions experi- enced by particulated shaped charge jet material during water penetration. In particle sizes tested (75 um - 5 um), only large particles at high velocities (75 um - 45 um at velocities greater than 2500 m/s) exhibited evidence of combustion. XRD and SEM analyses were used to verify residue composition and to characterize individual particle morphology. XRD analysis yielded a global residue composition while SEM analysis gave a single particle compo- sition. Both analyses verified the presence or absence of oxidized material. Surprisingly, no oxidation was indicated in paricles smaller than 45 um even at velocities greater than 3000 m/s. Images of shaped charge residue and light gas gun experiment residue qualitatively verified similar particle oxidation and surface morphologies characterized by the presence of numerous hollow nodules and porous, oxidized surfaces. In addition, controlled experiments involving Al and Cu shaped charges fired into H2O and oil verified the particle sizes created during penetration and residue composition. It was found that 7% of an Al shaped charge liner reacted during penetration in open water targets. Oxidized and unoxidized particles in sizes ranging from 425 um - 10 um were created during penetration and combustion. No reaction was observed with Al jets fired into oil.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Rudolphi, John

Contributors dc:contributor

• Glumac, Nick G.
• Krier, Herman
• Austin, Joanna M.
• Stewart, Donald S.

• aluminum combustion
• hypervelocity penetration
• aluminum and water reaction
• aluminum - water combustion
• shaped charge
• aluminum shaped charges
• penetration

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 John Rudolphi

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29790

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/29790