Erosion testing of a Ti-15% Mo alloy (TIMETAL 21S) under simulated gun barrel conditions

摘要

Gun barrels are currently usually made of steel, but other materials, e.g. titanium alloys, are emerging as possible replacements. These have unique combinations of low weight, excellent general corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. However, their erosion resistance is inadequate, especially when high-temperature propellants are used. Various methods have been evaluated to improve the erosion resistance of titanium alloys, such as applying a protective coating of borides, oxides or carbides [1] or using titanium-based metal-matrix composites (MMCs), e.g. reinforcing the alloy with titanium diboride particles [2]. In [2] no erosion occurred when a propellant combustion temperature of 2600 °C was used, but a higher combustion temperature, 3900 °C, resulted in significant erosion. This decreased, however, with increasing levels of ceramic addition.