Experimental Studies of Pressure and Combustion Wave Propagation in Granular Propellant Beds

Abstract

The ignition transients, flame spreading, and pressure wave propagation through beds of granular gun propellant in semi-closed bombs were investigated for applications to the internal ballistics of guns, deflagration-to detonation transition, and fast-burning rocket charges. It was found that following the ignition front, a pressure wave propagates downstream at an accelerating rate; the pressure wave is reflected at the diaphragm and propagates upstream at a decelerating rate and, after being reflected at the upstream end, intersects with the expansion waves originating from the outlet. Intensive dynamic compaction of the propellant bed was observed. The influence of experimental parameters on the wave characteristics was also examined in this paper.