On the possibility of reducing the penetration capability of shaped-charge jets in a magnetic field

The possibility of reducing the penetration capability of shaped charges by producing a magnetic field ahead of the target with flux lines parallel to the charge axis is considered. The problem is studied on the basis of results of experiments in which a magnetic field was produced in a shaped-charge liner before firing, resulting in a sharp reduction or elimination of penetration. The variation of the magnetic induction in the shaped-charge liner moving in the magnetic field is calculated using the model of two conducting coaxial cylindrical shells corresponding to the charge case and liner and assuming constant induction-current density over the shell thickness. A longitudinal magnetic field is specified on the surface of the outer shell as a function of the spatial distribution of the field ahead of the target and the charge velocity. The magnetic-field intensity that can provide a considerable reduction in the penetration capability of shaped charges of various diameters is estimated. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 112–120, May–June, 2007.     

Interaction of a shaped-charge jet with a target possessing an axial orifice

Interaction of a shaped-charge jet with a target possessing an axial orifice is studied experimentally. For an orifice diameter approximately equal to 0.2D, where D is the shaped-charge diameter, the shaped-charge penetration depth is found to be substantially reduced owing to deviation of the shaped-charge jet axis from the shaped charge axis because of imperfections of the manufacturing technology. A diameter of the target orifice providing unconstrained penetration of the shaped-charge jet is determined. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 13–16, November–December, 2008.     

Effect of initial heating of shaped charge liners on shaped charge pentetration

An increase in the penetration capability of a laboratory shaped charge under initial heating, i.e., heating of the liner material before initiation of the explosive charge, is revealed in experiments. The results obtained confirm the theoretical hypothesis on the possibility of increasing the ultimate elongation of elements of a plastically fractured high-gradient, shaped-charge jet by increasing the initial temperature of the jet-forming layer of the liner. Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow 107005. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 27–31, September–October, 2000.     

Behavior of metallic shaped-charge jets with passage of a pulsed electric current through them

The paper reports results of experimental and numerical studies of the disruption of metallic shaped-charge jets by passage of a pulsed electric current through them. Experimental results are presented in the form of x-ray photographs of shaped-charge jets with and without a current and tables of penetration depths in targets. Numerical simulation of the disruption of shaped-charge jets with a current is performed for three possible mechanisms of disruption (development ofMHD instability of shaped-charge jets, volume fracture, and simultaneous development ofMHD instability and volume fracture). Numerical and experimental results are compared. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 19–25, May–June, 2000.     

Specific features of interaction of a shaped-charge jet with a target

Coaxial interaction of a copper shaped-charge jet with a thin tungsten rod is considered. A theoretical model of spraying of the shaped-charge jet on the rod and results of experiments performed are presented. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 49, No. 5, pp. 24–26, September–October, 2008.     

Experimental investigation of fast shaped-charge jets

The effect of various methods for producing a fast shaped-charge jet on the jet velocity is studied. Experimental results allow one to optimize the process of formation of fast shapedcharge jets. Spectra of a copper jet are obtained, and its temperature is determined. It is shown that fast copper shaped-charge jets can be used for quasi-cw lasing. Lavrent’ev Institute of Hydrodynamics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 62–67, September–October, 2000.     

Rebounding of a shaped-charge jet

The phenomenon of rebounding of a shaped-charge jet from the armour surface with small angles between the jet axis and the target surface is considered. Rebounding angles as a function of jet velocity are obtained in experiments for a copper shaped-charge jet. An engineering calculation technique is developed. The results calculated with the use of this technique are in reasonable agreement with experimental data. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 17–20, September–October, 2007.     

Use of magnetocumulative generators in experiments on current disruption of shaped-charge jets

Results of experiments on disruption of shaped-charge jets by a pulsed current are reported. An industrially produced helical-coaxial magnetocumulative K-80 generator with transformer energy output was used as a source of energy. The operation of the generator in the experiments performed and the effect of the current-pulse parameters on jet disruption and depth of penetration of a shaped-charge jet into a target are discussed. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 30–35, May–June, 1998.     

On the problem of controlling the efficiency of action of shaped-charge jets

It is suggested that noncontact action of a magnetic field on shaped-charge jet elements be used to decrease the penetration depth. A decrease in the depth is attained. A physicomathematical model for the process is constructed that allows one to optimize performance of devices used to realize the action of an external magnetic field. Lykov Academic Scientific Complex “Institute of Heat and Mass Exchange,” Minsk 220072. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 36–43, May–June, 1998.     

Composite electrodynamic liner

A multilayer liner made of a composition of two materials with different conductivities is considered. The fractions of the components in the layers are varied so that the effective conductivity increases in the direction of magnetic-field diffusion under a special law that allows one to obtain an analytical solution. It is shown for a particular example that using a temperature criterion taking into account the density, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity of the components, it is possible to produce a liner for which the magnetic-field amplitude can be increased by 30% and the velocity and energy can be increased by a factor of 1.6 and 2.7, respectively, compared to the original version of a homogeneous metal liner. Moscow. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 11–17. September–October, 1999.     

Effect of initial heating of the jet-forming layer of shaped-charge liners on the ultimate elongation of jet elements

The functional dependence of the coefficient of ultimate elongation on the temperature of initial heating of the jet-forming layer of shaped-charge liners is obtained. It is established that heating of the shaped-charge liner material before initiation increases the ultimate elongation and, hence, the effectiveness of penetration of plastically fractured, high-gradient, shaped-charge jets.     

On stabilization of implosion of condensed liners

This paper considers various experimental designs on the Atlas facility to study the physics of liners and determine the optimum conditions of their stable motion. In one of the versions, in comparison with the Liner Demonstration series of experiments, in which unstable liner motion was observed, it is proposed to reduce the initial liner radius without changing its mass, which, according to two-dimensional calculations, should to lead to more stable motion of the liner with unchanged velocity. It is also proposed to perform an experiment in which periodic perturbations at a certain wavelength are created on the outer surface of the liner with a simultaneous increase in its thickness. According to calculations, the growth of chaotic perturbations is stabilized in this case with the preservation of the liner velocity. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 3–14, May–June, 2009.     

Thermal softening of metallic shaped-charge jets formed by the collapse of shaped-charge liners in the presence of a magnetic field

This paper presents an analysis of the possibility of increasing the ultimate stretching and penetration capability of metallic shaped-charge jets in the presence of an axial magnetic field in the shaped-charge liner due to heating and thermal softening of the jet material as a result of a sharp increase in the magnetic-field induction in the jet formation region upon liner collapse. This process is studied by numerical simulation in a quasi-two-dimensional formulation taking into account the inertial stretching of the conductive rigid-plastic rod in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field in it.     

Seismic efficiency of a contact explosion and a high-velocity impact

The seismic energy transferred to an elastic half-space as a result of a contact explosion and a meteorite impact on a planet’s surface is estimated. The seismic efficiency of the explosion and impact are evaluated as the ratio of the energy of the generated seismic waves to the energy of explosion or the kinetic energy of the meteorite. In the case of contact explosions, this ratio is in the range of 10⁻⁴–10⁻³. In the case of wide-scale impact effects, where the crater in the planet’s crust is produced in the gravitational regime, a formula is derived that relates the seismic efficiency of an impact to its determining parameters. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 3–12, March–April, 2007.     

Measurement and scaling analysis of critical energy for direct initiation of gaseous detonations

In this paper, the critical energies required for direct initiation of spherical detonations in four gaseous fuels (C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₃H₈ and H₂)–oxygen mixtures at different initial pressures, equivalence ratios and with different amounts of argon dilution are reported. Using these data, a scaling analysis is performed based on two main parameters of the problem: the explosion length R _o that characterizes the blast wave and a characteristic chemical length that characterizes the detonation. For all the undiluted mixtures considered in this study, it is found that the relationship is closely given by R_o ? 26 l{R_{\rm o} \approx 26 \lambda} , where λ is the characteristic detonation cell size of the explosive mixture. While for C₂H₂–2.5O₂ mixtures highly diluted with argon, in which cellular instabilities are shown to play a minor role on the detonation propagation, the proportionality factor increases to 37.3, 47 and 54.8 for 50, 65 and 70% argon dilution, respectively. Using the ZND induction length Δ _I as the characteristic chemical length scale for argon diluted or ‘stable’ mixtures, the explosion length is also found to scale adequately with R_o ? 2320 D_I{R_{\rm o} \approx 2320 \Delta_I} .     

Loading of obstacles by explosion of a low-density sheet explosive

The dependence of the detonation velocity of aNIL-1 low-density sheet explosive on density is found in the range of charge densities0.1–0.3 g/cm ³. The equation of state of theNIL-1 detonation products with a linear dependence of the effective isentropic exponent of unloading on the density of an explosive that is acceptable for applied calculations is proposed. Calculated estimates of the mechanical action of anNIL-1 explosion on obstacles from several powerful explosive compositions are given. Institute of Experimental Physics, Sarov 607190. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 43–47, May–June, 2000.     

Dynamical deformation of a flat liquid–liquid interface

The passage of solid spheres through a liquid–liquid interface was experimentally investigated using a high-speed video and PIV (particle image velocimetry) system. Experiments were conducted in a square Plexiglas column of 0.1 m. The Newtonian Emkarox (HV45 50 and 65% wt) aqueous solutions were employed for the dense phase, while different silicone oils of different viscosity ranging from 10 to 100 mPa s were used as light phase. Experimental results quantitatively reveal the effect of the sphere’s size, interfacial tension and viscosity of both phases on the retaining time and the height of the liquid entrained behind the sphere. These data were combined with our previous results concerning the passage of a rising bubble through a liquid–liquid interface in order to propose a general relationship for the interface breakthrough for the wide range of Mo ₁/Mo ₂ ∈ [2 × 10⁻⁵–5 × 10⁴] and Re ₁/Re ₂ ∈ [2 × 10⁻³–5 × 10²].     

Regularities of the stretching and plastic failure of metal shaped-charge jets

The results of physicomathematical modeling obtained within the framework of continuum mechanics by numerical solution of the two-dimensional axisymmetric nonstationary problem of the dynamic deformation of a compressed elastoplastic bar of variable section are presented. Dependences of the quantitative characteristics of stretching and breakup of a shaped-charge jet (the coefficients of ultimate and inertial elongation and the number of individual elements formed in breakup) on the jet parameters and the jet material properties are revealed by calculations. The calculated dependences are compared with experimental data for plastically failing jets of copper and niobium, and the character of the dependences is explained from the physical viewpoint. Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow 107005. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 25–35, July–August, 1999.     

The propagation mechanism of high speed turbulent deflagrations

The propagation regimes of combustion waves in a 30 cm by 30 cm square cross–sectioned tube with an obstacle array of staggered vertical cylindrical rods (with BR=0.41 and BR=0.19) are investigated. Mixtures of hydrogen, ethylene, propane, and methane with air at ambient conditions over a range of equivalence ratios are used. In contrast to the previous results obtained in circular cross–sectioned tubes, it is found that only the quasi–detonation regime and the slow turbulent deflagration regimes are observed for ethylene–air and for propane–air. The transition from the quasi–detonation regime to the slow turbulent deflagration regime occurs at (where D is the tube “diameter” and is the detonation cell size). When , the quasi–detonation velocities that are observed are similar to those in unobstructed smooth tubes. For hydrogen–air mixtures, it is found that there is a gradual transition from the quasi–detonation regime to the high speed turbulent deflagration regime. The high speed turbulent deflagration regime is also observed for methane–air mixtures near stoichiometric composition. This regime was previously interpreted as the “choking” regime in circular tubes with orifice plate obstacles. Presently, it is proposed that the propagation mechanism of these high speed turbulent deflagrations is similar to that of Chapman–Jouguet detonations and quasi-detonations. As well, it is observed that there exists unstable flame propagation at the lean limit where . The local velocity fluctuates significantly about an averaged velocity for hydrogen–air, ethylene–air, and propane–air mixtures. Unstable flame propagation is also observed for the entire range of high speed turbulent deflagrations in methane–air mixtures. It is proposed that these fluctuations are due to quenching of the combustion front due to turbulent mixing. Quenched pockets of unburned reactants are swept downstream, and the subsequent explosion serves to overdrive the combustion front. The present study indicates that the dependence on the propagation mechanisms on obstacle geometry can be exploited to elucidate the different complex mechanisms of supersonic combustion waves. Received 5 November 2001 / Accepted 12 June 2002 / Published online 4 November 2002 Correspondence to: J. Chao (e-mail: jenny.chao@mail.mcgill.ca) An abridged version of this paper was presented at the 18th Int. Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems at Seattle, USA, from July 29 to August 3, 2001.