Feasibility Experiments on the Demilitarization of Chemical Munitions by High Power Lasers. Part I. Cutting Experiments.

摘要

A series of experiments was performed to demonstrate the feasibility of using gas-assisted CO2 lasers for demilitarizing chemical munitions. 155mm projectiles and 115mm rocket assemblies were cut with lasers of 3.0, 6.0 and 10.5 kW delivered power. The explosives and the chemical agent were simulated by inert materials. The cutting parameters for several materials and geometries of interest and the temperature histories in critical locations are presented, and some possible trade-offs between laser power and production rates are discussed as applicable to the special case of chemical munitions. (Author)