Burning Time and size of Aluminum, Magnesium, Zirconium, Tantalum, and Pyrofuze Particles Burning in Steam

摘要

The energy released by metals burning in steam has several important applications including torpedo propulsion, nuclear reactor safety, underwater vehicles, underwater ordnance, etc. This report continues the studies that were performed by Hallenbeck and Kol, Fuhs and Berger which are related to underwater shaped charge investigations. Wires of various metals were exploded in a steam atmosphere. The metals investigated were aluminum, magnesium, tantalum, zirconium, and pyrofuze. Exploding wires generated numerous hot, small particles. Using photography, the burning time and particle sizes were measured. Typical results are as follows: 125 + or - 25 micron diameter aluminum burns in 3.8 + or - .75 ms; 175 + or - 35 micron diameter magnesium burns in 3.8 + or - .75 ms; 125 + or - 25 micron diameter zirconium in 25 to 31 ms; 125 + or - 25 micron diameter tantalum in 24 to 50 ms; and 125 + or - 25 micron pyrofuze in 30 to 50 ms. The atmosphere was pure saturated steam at approximately 20 psig.