Light Gas Gun Research Articles

Quasi-1D numerical analysis and Bayesian optimization of two-stage light gas gun operational parameters

Quasi-1D numerical analysis and Bayesian optimization of two-stage light gas gun operational parameters

Shock compression of crystalline TeO2 to the high-pressure fluid regime: Insights from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

The shock response of fully-dense and porous crystalline tellurium dioxide (TeO2) to the high-pressure and high-temperature fluid regime was investigated within the framework of density functional theory with Mermin’s generalization to finite temperatures. The principal and porous shock Hugoniot curves were predicted from canonical ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, with the phase space sampled along isotherms up to 80 000 K, for densities ranging from ρ=3 to 17 g/cm3. The polymorphs investigated are α-TeO2 paratellurite (P41212), TeO2 cotunnite (Pnma), and TeO2 post-cotunnite (P21/m). Based on the discontinuity found in the calculated Us−up slope of TeO2 post-cotunnite at a shock velocity of Us≃8.35 km/s and a particle velocity of up≃3.64 km/s, the shock melting temperature and pressure are predicted to be ≃6500 K and ≃170 GPa. Results from the AIMD simulations are in line with the static compression data of TeO2 paratellurite and cotunnite, and with the recent shock Hugoniot data for single-crystal α-TeO2 for pressures up to 85 GPa, obtained using the inclined-mirror method and the velocity interferometer system for any reflector combined with powder gun and two-stage light-gas gun.

Hypervelocity impact investigations of composite truss tubes for in orbit assembly risk assessment

As the number of orbital structures increases, so does the threat posed by micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts. These impacts range from the ballistic range (less than 1.5 km/s) to exceeding 20 km/s and can significantly weaken space structures such as the International Space Station (ISS), leading to further risk as the debris shed could damage the in-orbit assembly field. Space structures, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the in-space assembled telescope (ISAT), often employ fiber-matrix composites in various shapes and sizes. While the effects of hypervelocity impacts (HVI) on flat plate composites have been extensively studied, there is a notable lack of research on HVI of composite tubes. Understanding how MMOD impacts affect the integrity of individual truss members, as well as the structure as a whole is essential for assessing the condition of existing space structures and improving future designs. To replicate MMOD impacts, HVI investigations from 1 to over 3 km/s were conducted on a specialized two-stage light-gas gun, showing the transition from single inlet wall damage to cascading internal fragmentation inside the tube, leading to increased damage with increasing velocity. Our investigation focuses on the image analysis of the damage area and ejecta fragmentation in the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) tubes, as well as quantifying the resulting hole diameter. This data is crucial for validating corresponding computational models. In this study we present three separate methods of characterizing HVI including: impedance matching through equations of state, a hybrid Lagrangian finite element (FE) model using LS-DYNA with smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), and experimental investigations. All methods agree that HVI can cause nearly three times the amount of damage within a tube compared to similar conditions on a plate. Our findings help enhance our understanding of MMOD impact risks on existing structures and contribute to the development of systems with greater resilience to HVI.

Investigations of high-speed projectile impact on symmetric sandwich structures containing solid propellant with core perforations

The response of solid rocket motors (SRMs) to high-speed fragment impacts is crucial for their safety design and operational use in scenarios such as rocket launches and space applications. The visualized Burn to Violent Reaction (BVR) test is used to observe intense reactions induced by high-speed projectile impacts. Employing a two-stage light gas gun and optical diagnostic techniques including high-speed schlieren imaging and direct photography, the impact-induced deflagration/explosion behavior, and reaction growth behavior were investigated. The damage mechanisms of the casing and propellant samples were assessed, and the reaction growth and afterburn effects of the impact-induced fragment cloud were quantitatively analyzed. The results indicate that the ignition delay time is inversely correlated with the impact velocity, decreasing from ms to μs scale. Across a wide range of velocities (1050–2058 m/s), higher projectile velocities induce more sustained and vigorous combustion reactions within the propellant. Furthermore, increasing the propellant air gap to 7.8 cm does not trigger further reactions under the studied configurations. The reaction mechanisms are closely linked to the characteristics of the fragment cloud induced by the impact. The developed Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method, incorporating material constitutive models, ignition criteria, and reaction growth models, was used to study the influence of projectile velocity on the reaction mechanisms. The simulation results were compared with experimental data, demonstrating satisfactory accuracy.

Electromagnetic radiation of granite under dynamic compression

To elucidate the characteristics and mechanism of electromagnetic radiation in granite under impact loading, based on the quasi-static compression tests, this paper conducts dynamic compression experiments on granite using Hopkinson pressure bar and one-stage light-gas gun as loading methods. Combined with experimental and theoretical analyses, the relationship between mechanical and electromagnetic responses under impact loads of different intensities, and the time-domain signals of electromagnetic radiation generated by a single crack under different strain rates are studied. The intensity and frequency of electromagnetic radiation increase with the increasing compressive strain rate. According to the thermal activation theory, it reveals the microscopic mechanism of the transition from intergranular microcracks to transgranular microcracks in terms of strain sensitivity. It also serves as the physical basis for the increase in electromagnetic radiation intensity amplitude and frequency with increasing compressive strain rate. Transgranular microcracks are the primary cause of electromagnetic radiation generated by fractures.

Performance assessment of an innovative light and compact dust shield for DISC onboard Comet Interceptor/ESA space probes

The dust ejected by cometary nuclei encodes valuable information on the formation and evolution of the early Solar System. Multiple short-period comets have been studied in situ, but several perihelion passages considerably modified their pristine condition. Comet Interceptor is the first space mission selected by the European Space Agency to study a pristine dynamically new comet in situ. During a fast flyby through the comet coma, hypervelocity impacts with dust particles will represent not only an important source of information, but also a serious hazard to the spacecraft and its payload. Here we discuss the assessment tests performed on the dust shield of the Dust Impact Sensor and Counter instrument (DISC), part of the Comet Interceptor payload, which will be directly exposed to the cometary dust flux. Using a Light-Gas Gun, we shot mm-sized particles at ∼5 km/s, transferring momenta and kinetic energies representative of those foreseen for the mission. The impact effects on the DISC breadboard were compared to theoretical predictions by a ballistic limit equation for hypervelocity impacts. We find that, with a simple improvement in the dust shield design, DISC is compatible with the expected cometary environment.

Empirical Models for Predicting Two-Stage Light Gas Gun Muzzle Velocity

Empirical Models for Predicting Two-Stage Light Gas Gun Muzzle Velocity

Effects of electron beam and atomic oxygen irradiation on hypervelocity - Impact tested / polyimide coated carbon fiber-reinforced plates

In a low-Earth orbit, space debris orbit at approximately the first cosmic velocity. When space debris strike a spacecraft, ejecta (fragments) from the spacecraft are widely scattered. The reduction in the number of ejecta (fragments caused by impact) must also be considered when selecting spacecraft materials. The authors’ group has previously examined the size of ejecta (fragments) and reduction in the number of ejecta. In general, the mechanical properties of polymer materials and CFRP plates may be damaged by space environments, such as radiation (gamma rays and electron beams (EBs)), atomic oxygen (AO), ultraviolet rays, temperature, and thermal cycling. The authors suggested an anti-AO coating/polyimide CFRP as a material resistant to space environments. The effects of EB and AO irradiation on the fracture behavior and ejecta of anti-AO coating/polyimide CFRP were examined for hypervelocity impacts. The results of static three-point flexural tests were compared with the fracture behavior and ejecta. A two-stage light-gas gun was used for the impact tests. Spherical projectiles formed of aluminum alloy 2017-T4 with a diameter of 1.6 mm were used. Photographs of the ejecta scattered in front of each polyimide CFRP plate were captured from the side using a high-speed video camera. The number and weight of the ejecta on the front side and perforation holes were examined.

Dynamic Constitutive Model of Tungsten‐Whisker‐Reinforced Aluminum/Polytetrafluoroethylene Composite Material and Quantitative Determination of Impact Reaction Release Energy in Vacuum Environment

To meet the strength requirements of aluminum/polytetrafluoroethylene (Al/PTFE) in practical applications, tungsten (W) whisker is added into the traditional formula Al/PTFE (26.5%/73.5%) to improve the dynamic compressive strength of the reactive material. Mechanical properties of reactive material specimens prepared by sintering are tested. In the results, it is shown that the dynamic compressive strength of Al/PTFE‐reactive material reinforced by tungsten whisker with volume fraction of 13.1% can reach 141 MPa at strain rate of 1800 s−1. The constitutive model of dynamic compression for tungsten‐whisker‐enhanced Al/PTFE‐reactive material is constructed, and the results are basically consistent with the experimental results. The quantitative impact energy release of reactive material specimens under vacuum environment are performed by using the two‐stage light gas gun loading system, and the quantitative impact release energies of Al/PTFE‐reactive material reinforced by tungsten whisker under different whisker percentage content and diameter are obtained.

Study on the attenuation pattern of stress wave in granite impacted by 30CrMnSiA alloy steel projectiles at 1.5–5.5 km/s

The damage ability of hypervelocity kinetic energy projectile penetrating ground has become a hotspot in modern military research. In this study, a hypervelocity impact test on a granite target subjected to projectiles using a two-stage light gas gun is conducted to study the stress wave evolution in granite under hypervelocity penetrations. The parameters of the *MAT_JOHNSON_HOLMQUIST_CERAMICS(JH-2) constitutive equation are calibrated using the results of the splinter impact test and the static test, and numerical simulations are performed using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method coupled with finite element method (SPH-FEM coupled method) to extend the resulting data. A formula for calculating the stress wave peak attenuation is established, indicating that the maximum impact pressure produced by the hypervelocity impact decreases exponentially with scaling distance, and the attenuation coefficient is related to the degree of rock damage. Additionally, the attenuation of the speed of sound is used to characterize rock damage, and the damage deterioration law of granite under hypervelocity impact is analyzed based on the damage factor.

Normal high velocity solid dust impacts on tiles of tokamak-relevant temperature

Runaway electron incidence on plasma facing components triggers explosive events that are accompanied by the expulsion of fast solid debris. Subsequent dust-wall high speed impacts constitute a mechanism of wall damage and dust destruction. Empirical damage laws that can be employed for erosion estimates are based on room-temperature impact experiments. We use light-gas gun shooting systems to accelerate solid tungsten dust to near-supersonic speeds towards bulk tungsten targets that are maintained at different temperatures. This concerns targets cooled down to −100°C with liquid nitrogen and targets resistively heated up to 400 °C. Post-mortem surface analysis reveals that the three erosion regimes (plastic deformation, bonding, partial disintegration) weakly depend on the target temperature within the investigated range. It is concluded that empirical damage laws based on room-temperature measurements can be safely employed for predictions.

Ignition mechanism and chemical reaction of the micro-damage polymer-bonded explosives under different inertial loading conditions

Understanding the impact-induced ignition properties and energy release behavior of polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) is critical for the safety of explosive systems. In this study, a new impact test component was designed using a light gas gun to quantify the ignition mechanism and chemical reaction of micro-damaged PBXs under different inertial loading conditions. A constitutive model was developed to describe the mechanical-thermal-chemical response of the PBXs. This model was employed to further investigate the correlation between microcracks, debonding, hot spots, and chemical reactions. The results show that the stress state of the material is not uniformly distributed due to the micro-inhomogeneities and structural defects of PBXs. The shear friction of the microcracks contributes to localized hot spots, thereby inducing ignition. The critical loading condition for ignition is the length of the steel pillar is 32 mm. The damage and hotspot temperatures of the anterior lateral and posterior lateral regions are greater than those of other locations. The ignition response is accentuated with longer steel pillars, resulting in a more violent release of energy.

Dynamic response of UHMWPE/polyurea composite plates under combined blast and ballistic impact

Combined load caused by blast impulse and fragmentation impact poses a synergetic damage threat to the protective structure. To improve the blast and ballistic impact resistance of Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyurea coated Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene structure was proposed, and the composite structures with different coating thickness and coating position were prepared. Composite projectiles formed by combining foam projectiles and steel projectiles were launched by light gas gun to simulate the combined load of explosion impact and fragmentation. Comparative experimental studies were carried out. The experimental results show that the polyurea layer has good elastic properties, preventing the excessive deformation of the PE layer. The polyurea coating position and the time interval of the combined load show significant influence on the impact resistance of the composite structure. When the load was relatively low, PE plate with polyurea coating on booth face has both the advantages of PE plate with coating on the front and back face, but when the load increased, the impact resistance potential of polyurea layer was not fully developed. With the increase of the combined load, structures with polyurea coating on the back face has a good resistance of combined impact.

Research on ballistic properties of UHMWPE hybrid laminates impregnated with shear thickening fluid

In this paper, a technology of impregnating ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with shear thickening fluid (STF) was proposed to prepare composite laminates, and the ballistic properties of laminates with hybrid configurations were studied. Firstly, two kinds of STFs were prepared using silica particles of 20 nm and 500 nm. Then, STF-impregnated UHMWPE composite laminates were prepared using the hot-press lamination process. Finally, a ballistic experimental study of different combinations of laminates was carried out using a two-stage light gas gun. The results of the study show that the energy absorption rate of the hybridized laminate with the 20 nm + 50 nm configuration scheme is enhanced by more than 9.3 % compared to the laminate impregnated with the single STF. The laminate’s back face deformation depth (BFD depth) after impregnation with shear thickening fluid is only 66.8 % of that of pure UHMWPE laminate. The research work can provide new ideas and references for designing and developing new protective equipment.

Synthesis of Phenanthrene/Pyrene Hybrid Microparticles: Useful Synthetic Mimics for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Based Cosmic Dust.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are found throughout the interstellar medium and are important markers for the evolution of galaxies and both star and planet formation. They are also widely regarded as a major source of carbon, which has implications in the search for extraterrestrial life. Herein we construct a melting point phase diagram for a series of phenanthrene/pyrene binary mixtures to identify the eutectic composition (75 mol % phenanthrene) and its melting point (83 °C). The molten oil obtained on heating this eutectic composition to 90 °C in aqueous solution is homogenized in the presence of a water-soluble polymeric emulsifier. On cooling to 20 °C, polydisperse spherical phenanthrene/pyrene hybrid microparticles are obtained. Varying the stirring rate and emulsifier type enables the mean microparticle diameter to be adjusted from 11 to 279 μm. Importantly, the phenanthrene content of individual microparticles remains constant during processing, as expected for the eutectic composition. These new hybrid microparticles form impact craters and undergo partial fragmentation when fired into a metal target at 1 km s-1 using a light gas gun. When fired into an aerogel target at the same speed, microparticles are located at the ends of characteristic "carrot tracks". Autofluorescence is observed in both types of experiments, which at first sight suggests minimal degradation. However, Raman microscopy analysis of the aerogel-captured microparticles indicates prominent pyrene signals but no trace of the more volatile phenanthrene component. Such differential ablation during aerogel capture is expected to inform the in situ analysis of PAH-rich cosmic dust in future space missions.

Production of high velocity micron-sized ice particles using the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range for application to missions to icy moons.

The Ames Vertical Gun Range (AVGR) is a hypervelocity impact facility hosting a variable angle, two-stage, light-gas gun that can accelerate projectiles up to 7 km s−1. We have used the AVGR to produce impacts into supercooled (73–89 K) synthetic seawater ice targets inside a large impact chamber, whose pressure is 0.3 to 0.7 Torr.We report on the effective novel use of stainless steel meshes (49 μm, 100 μm, 149 μm, and 500 μm) to filter the ejecta plume for the ice grains of a desired size and demonstrate that reproducible temperature, speed, and particle size distribution can be achieved.The resulting ejecta plume of micrometer-sized ice particles (micro grains) from these impacts provides a method to simulate spacecraft encounters with ice particles found in the plumes of the outer Solar System, especially Enceladus. Image analysis of ejecta plume impacts onto aluminum (Al) foil enabled us to determine the ice particle diameter range. We find that the particles in the ejecta plume have speeds from 0.2 to 2 km s−1 and temperatures from 102 to 113 K (−171 to −160 °C). Furthermore, 61–97% by numberof the ice grains have equivalent diameter between 2.5 and 20 μm, that is, in the range 1 μm ≤ radii ≤10 μm, the upper size constrained by Cassini, i.e., ∼2 μm to 50 μm. Overall, the AVGR provides a high-fidelity simulation of ice micro grains impacting spacecraft surfaces and sample-collecting systems. This may be useful in the design, testing, and data analysis of future missions to Enceladus, Europa, and other icy moons.

High-impact dynamic loading method for calibration of triaxial acceleration sensors

Abstract In this study, a high-impact dynamic loading device was designed to generate a three-dimensional pulse excitation signal with high intensity shock acceleration and achieve triaxial synchronous calibration of a triaxial acceleration sensor. A light-gas gun interior ballistic model and a sensor mechanical response model were developed, and the relationships between the bullet impact velocity, barrel length, and initial chamber pressure were obtained. Additionally, the transformation relationship of the sensor’s triaxial acceleration in different coordinate systems was derived. Based on the stress wave theory and the finite element method, the influence of the bullet impact velocity on the variation pulse, and different slope and deflection angles on the triaxial acceleration were analyzed. By optimizing the parameter design, machining the prototype, and conducting high-impact dynamic loading tests, the results showed that the deviation between theoretical and measured values of the generated triaxial acceleration signal was small, and the maximum deviation was less than 4%. This indicated that the proposed high-impact dynamic loading device satisfied the calibration requirements for calibrating triaxial acceleration sensors, which can generate a three-dimensional acceleration with a peak value of not less than 700 000 m s−2.

Perforating characters of Zr-based bulk metallic glass fragment against thin steel target

To investigate the perforating characteristics of Zr-based bulk metallic glass fragments against thin steel target, ballistic experiments were carried out to measure ballistic the limit velocities of fragments perforating against different thicknesses of targets. The fragments were driven by a 57 mm one-stage light gas gun to impact the thin steel target. The numerical model of Zr-based bulk metallic glass fragments perforating against thin steel target was established using Autodyn2D commercial software, and the perforating process and perforating mechanism were analyzed by numerical simulation. The semi-empirical model to predict the ballistic limit velocity was fitted. An energy model for calculating the residual velocity of a fragment was derived based on the conservation of energy. The theoretical results of the semi-empirical model and the energy model are in good agreement with experiment results and simulation results. And the energy model has good applicability without fitting the parameters for different target thicknesses.

Damage effects of aluminum alloy honeycomb sandwich panel double-layer structure induced by reactive projectile hypervelocity impact

In this paper, the experiments of Al2024 and reactive projectiles with hypervelocity impact on aluminum alloy honeycomb sandwich panel double-layer structure respectively were carried out by using two-stage light-gas gun, and the impact processes were recorded through high speed camera. According to the analysis of the experimental results, the debris clouds motion process and the damage effects on double-layer structure were compared. The damage enhancement mechanism of reactive projectile was revealed through numerical simulation and theoretical methods. The impact-induced detonation reaction of the reactive projectile can significantly reduce the "channel effect" of the honeycomb sandwich panel by destroying the honeycomb core cell wall, increase the perforation on the back facesheet of the honeycomb sandwich panel, and generate the debris cloud with higher temperature and faster expansion velocity. The debris cloud induced by the reactive projectile has a larger load distribution area on the rear plate, avoiding the concentration of loads in the center of the rear plate, and cause large area impact and thermal combined damage effects on the rear plate and internal space of the double-layer structure, while ensuring that the target structure cannot be penetrated. The reactive projectile efficiently applies the kinetic energy and chemical energy released by the impact-induced reaction to the interior of the target structure, the waste of kinetic energy caused by whole structure penetration can be avoided, resulting in significantly higher damage effects than the inert Al2024 projectile.

Dynamic mechanical properties and energy release characteristics of Mg-Na-Al alloy under impact load

To investigate the ignition behavior of Mg-Na-Al alloy under impact load and its mechanical properties under different strain rates, the universal testing machine and Separated Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) experimental system were used to conduct static and dynamic mechanical performance tests of Mg-Na-Al alloy, and the mechanical properties of Mg-Na-Al alloy under different strain rates were discussed. The light gas gun experimental setup was used to launch Mg-Na-Al alloy projectiles and impact rigid target plates to study the energy release behavior of Mg-Na-Al alloy under impact loads. Finally, based on the 12.7 mm ballistic gun experimental platform, the penetration of 12.7 mm armor-piercing projectiles equipped with Mg-Na-Al alloy wind caps into the homogeneous armor steel plates with a thickness of 15 mm, and the ignition test of the oil box behind the steel plates were conducted. The results indicate that the yield strength of Mg-Na-Al alloy under static compression is 265 MPa, while under high strain rates (from 2490 s−1 to 5640 s−1), the yield strength of Mg-Na-Al alloy is 406–423 MPa, which is 53∼60% higher than that under quasi-static compression. When reaching a certain impact velocity, the Mg-Na-Al alloy projectile breaks and induces ignition behavior, releasing energy. The 12.7 mm armor-piercing projectile equipped with an Mg-Na-Al alloy wind cap penetrated the homogeneous armor steel plate with a thickness of 15 mm and ignited. The released energy and the kinetic energy of the fragments ignited the oil box behind the steel plate.