Lloyd Lee Gibson

Shockwave compression of Ar gas at several initial densities

Experimental data of the principal Hugoniot locus of variable density gas-phase noble and molecular gases are rare. The majority of shock Hugoniot data is either from shock tube experiments on low-pressure gases or from plate impact experiments on cryogenic, liquefied gases. In both cases, physics regarding shock compressibility, thresholds for the on-set of shock-driven ionization, and even dissociation chemistry are difficult to infer for gases at intermediate densities. We have developed an experimental target design for gas gun-driven plate impact experiments on noble gases at initial pressures between 200-1000 psi. Using optical velocimetry, we are able to directly determine both the shock and particle velocities of the gas on the principal Hugoniot locus, as well as clearly differentiate ionization thresholds. The target design also results in multiply shocking the gas in a quasi-isentropic fashion yielding off-Hugoniot compression data. We describe the results of a series of plate impact experiment...

Shock initiation sensitivity and Hugoniot-based equation of state of Composition B obtained using in situ electromagnetic gauging

A series of gas gun-driven plate impact experiments were performed on vacuum melt-cast Composition B to obtain new Hugoniot states and shock sensitivity (run-distance-to-detonation) information. The Comp B (ρ0 = 1.713 g/cm3) consisted of 59.5% RDX, 39.5% TNT, and 1% wax, with ~ 6.5% HMX in the RDX. The measured Hugoniot states were found to be consistent with earlier reports, with the compressibility on the shock adiabat softer than that of a 63% RDX material reported by Marsh.[4] The shock sensitivity was found to be more sensitive (shorter run distance to detonation at a given shock input condition) than earlier reports for Comp B-3 and a lower density (1.68-1.69 g/cm3) Comp B formulation. The reactive flow during the shock-to-detonation transition was marked by heterogeneous, hot spot-driven growth both in and behind the leading shock front.

A REMOTE LIQUID TARGET LOADING SYSTEM FOR A TWO‐STAGE GAS GUN

A Remote Liquid Loading System (RLLS) was designed and tested for the application of loading high‐hazard liquid materials into instrumented target cells for gas gun‐driven plate impact experiments. These high hazard liquids tend to react with confining materials in a short period of time, degrading target assemblies and potentially building up pressure through the evolution of gas in the reactions. Therefore, the ability to load a gas gun target immediately prior to gun firing provides the most stable and reliable target fielding approach. We present the design and evaluation of an RLLS built for the LANL two‐stage gas gun. The system has been used successfully to interrogate the shock initiation behavior of ∼98 wt% percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solutions, using embedded electromagnetic gauges for measurement of shock wave profiles in‐situ.

Plate impact experiments on DC745U cooled to ~ -60 °C

Using gas-gun driven plate impact experiments, we have measured the US - up Hugoniot of the silicone elastomer DC745U cooled to -60 °C. In summary, the initial density changes from p0 (23°C) = 1.312 ± 0.010 g/cm3 to p0 (-60°C) = 1.447 ± 0.011 g/cm3. The linear US - up Hugoniot changes from US = 1.62 + 1.74up km/s at +23°C, to US = 2.03 ± 0.06 + (2.03 ± 0.06) up km/s at -60°C. DC745U, therefore is much stiffer at -60°C than at +23°C, probably due to the crystallization that occurs at ~ -50°C. Caveats/deficiencies: 1) This report does not provide an adequate pedigree of the DC745U used. 2) References to unpublished room temperature shock compression data on the elastomer are inadequate. 3) The report has not been fact checked by a DC745 subject matter expert.

Non-invasive timing of gas gun projectiles with light detection and ranging

We have developed a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) diagnostic to track the position of a projectile inside of a gas gun launch tube in real-time. This capability permits the generation of precisely timed trigger pulses useful for triggering high-latency diagnostics such as a flash lamp-pumped laser. An initial feasibility test was performed using a 72 mm bore diameter single-stage gas gun routinely used for dynamic research at Los Alamos. A 655 nm pulsed diode laser operating at a pulse repetition rate of 100 kHz was used to interrogate the position of the moving projectile in real-time. The position of the projectile in the gun barrel was tracked over a distance of ~ 3 meters prior to impact. The position record showed that the projectile moved at a velocity of 489 m/s prior to impacting the target. This velocity was in good agreement with independent measurements of the projectile velocity by photon Doppler velocimetry and timing of the passage of the projectile through optical marker beams positioned at the muzzle of the gun. The time-to-amplitude conversion electronics used enable the LIDAR data to be processed in real-time to generate trigger pulses at preset separations between the projectile and target.

Gas gun experiments to measure the shock compression behavior of high performance propellant (HPP)

Gas-gun driven plate impact experiments were performed on High Performance Propellant (HPP) to measure the shock compression behavior and Hugoniot. HPP is a proprietary blend of ammonium-perchlorate (AP), aluminum, and plastic binder. A small amount of FeO2 gives the propellant a rust color. The primary diagnostic was embedded magnetic particle velocity gauges. The Hugoniot was determined by performing multiple experiments using different impactors and a range of impact velocities. Impact stresses ranged from 0.3 GPa to 15 GPa. Even at the highest stress no reaction was observed; none was expected. At low stress HPP exhibits viscoelastic behavior with rounded wave profiles. Hugoniot data can be described using a model based on a Murnaghan isotherm with a small amount of porosity.