Analysis of Application of Plasma Ignition in Closed Vessel Tests

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a comparative investigation into the effects of the ignition method on the ballistic properties of three types of propellants: a single-base propellant, a double-base propellant and a low vulnerability (LOVA) propellant, as determined via closed vessel tests (CVT). Conventional gunpowder ignition and plasma jet ignition methods were used. The influence of the ignition method on the values of the propellant characteristics obtained in CVT was analysed. It was found that the method of ignition has an influence on the values of propellant characteristics, determined in CVT. An analysis of the experimental form functions showed that plasma ignition is not a solution to the problems inherent to the process of determining the ballistic properties of propellants in which the burning process deviates from the geometric burning law.

Keywords

• closed vessel test
• gun propellant
• gunpowder ignition
• plasma ignition