Barrel Wear Reduction in Rail Guns: An Investigation of Silver Paste Liquid-Metal Interface

摘要

This thesis tests the effects a commercial silver paste has on the damage at the projectile-rail interface of a 4' long rail gun test section. Projectiles (0.635 x 0.635 x 0.953 cm) were pushed through the rail test section at 34 plus or minus 19 m/s, while average current densities of 18 - 32 kA/cm2 was passed through the projectile - rail interface material. The specific objective is to examine rail and projectile damage at current densities near or above those ((carot)25kA/cm2) anticipated for a naval rail gun. Voltages across the rails were monitored and changes in conductivity when solid electrical contact was broken were observed.