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Flame Spreading in a LOVA Charge: An Experimental Study
Author(s) -
WildeggerGaissmaier A. E.,
Johnston I. R.,
Teague G.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.56
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1521-4087
pISSN - 0721-3115
DOI - 10.1002/prep.19950200308
Subject(s) - ignition system , flame spread , materials science , propellant , nuclear engineering , sensitivity (control systems) , mechanics , forensic engineering , combustion , engineering , aerospace engineering , electronic engineering , physics , chemistry , organic chemistry
LOVA propellants due to their low sensitivity are difficult to ignite. ‘Non‐ideal’ ignition can result in loss of accuracy, misfire, hangfire or catastrophic failure of the gun. The flame spreading event can be used to evaluate the ignition process. An experimental technique has been developed to aid in the investigation of flame spreading in gun charges. Fibre optic sensors as a direct measurement method were used to record radial and axial flame spreading. Experiments were conducted for three different igniter designs. Significant differences in the flame spread history for the three igniters were found and the technique proved to be suitable for optimization of ignition systems. Results of the experimental study could be used to validate interior ballistic model predictions.