Analysis of the Effect of Propellant Temperature on Interior Ballistics Problem

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of conditioning temperature of double base propellants on the interior ballistic parameters such as burning gas temperature, barrel wall temperature, pressure and stresses generated in the barrel. Interior ballistic problem was solved employing experimental, numerical and analytical methods with a thermo-mechanical approach. Double base propellants were conditioned at different temperatures ( 52, 35, 21, 0, -20, -35, -54 degrees C). The maximum pressure in the barrel and projectile muzzle velocity were measured for all the propellants by conducting shooting tests with a special test barrel using 7.62x51 mm NATO ammunition. Vallier-Heydenreich method was employed to determine the transient pressure distribution along the barrel. The temperature of burnt gases was calculated by using Noble-Abel equation. The heat transfer analysis was done using the commercial software ANSYS to get the transient temperature and stress distributions. Temperature distribution through the barrel wall thickness was validated using a FLIR thermal imager. Radial, circumferential and axial stresses and corresponding equivalent Von Misses stresses were determined numerically and analytically. The results of the analytical solution for stress analysis validated the finite element solution of interior ballistic problem. Increasing the initial temperature of the propellant resulted in higher temperature and pressure inside the barrel which in turn increased the stresses in the barrel.