Abstract
The electromagnetic rail catapult is a device that converts electrical energy into kinetic energy, which means that the strength of electrical energy directly affects the muzzle speed of armature. In addition, the electrical conductivity, electromagnetic rails and armature surface roughness, and the holding force of the rail are influencing factors that cannot be ignored. However, the electric ablation on the surface of the electromagnetic rails caused by high temperatures seriously affects the service life performance of the electromagnetic catapult system. In this study, electrochemically deposited nickel-phosphorus and nickel-molybdenum alloy coatings are plated on the surface of electromagnetic iron rails and their effects on the reduction of ablation are investigated. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) with EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy) detector, XRD (X-ray diffraction), 3D optical profiler, and Vickers microhardness tester are used. Our results show that the sliding velocity of the armature decreases slightly with the increased roughness of the rail coating surface. On the other hand, the area of electric ablation on the rail surface is inversely related to the hardness of the rail material. The electrically ablated surface areas of the rails are in: annealed nickel–molybdenum < nickel–molybdenum < annealed nickel–phosphorus < nickel–phosphorus < iron material. Heat treatment at 400 and 500 °C, respectively for Ni–P and Ni–Mo alloys, significantly increases hardness due to the precipitation of intermetallic compounds such as Ni3P and Ni4Mo phases. Comprehensive data analysis shows that the annealed nickel–molybdenum coating has the best electrical ablation wear resistance. The possible reason for that might be attributed to the high hardness of the heat-treated nickel–molybdenum coating. In addition, the thermal resistance capability of molybdenum is better than that of phosphorus, which might also contribute to the high wear resistance to electric ablation.
Highlights
IntroductionRecently, the the electromagnetic electromagneticrail railcatapult catapulthas has shown potential to replace traditional shown its its potential to replace traditional gunsguns due due tofact the that fact that can accelerate a projectile its super speed, a simple design, andgood has to the it canit accelerate a projectile to itsto super high high speed, has ahas simple design, and has good security [1].The electromagnetic rail catapult is composed of control circuits, pulse power security [1]
The main objective of this study is to find coating materials that can reduce or prevent metal rail from ablation
The velocity of the catapult is affected by the electrical energy, armature and
Summary
The electromagnetic rail catapult is composed of control circuits, pulse power security [1]. The electromagnetic rail catapult is composed of control circuits, pulse power supplies, supplies, railsinarranged in parallel, and(including armatures A schematic metal railsmetal arranged parallel, and armatures projectiles) [2].projectiles). A schematic of the diagram of the electromagnetic rail catapult is shown in interacting. 1; when withinteracting the currents passed through passed the rails at that time, thewere magnetic fields were generated. The magnetic the railsthrough and armature at and that armature time, the magnetic fields generated. The netthe magnetic field rails isSo, in view from leading edge The magnetic field line formed field line formed onaround a clockwise circle rail around thea positive rail and circle on a counterclockwise circle on a clockwise circle the positive and on counterclockwise around the negative rail, around thethe negative rail, viewThe from leadingfield edge.
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