New and Improved Rail Material for Electromagnetic Launchers

American Energy Technologies Co. (Glenview, IL) will partner with the Manufacturing Research Center at Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA) in order to develop improved rail materials for the Naval electromagnetic railgun application. New rail matrix composites are proposed that will incorporate unique forms of carbon. When compared to existing rail materials (e.g., copper), the anticipated benefits will be reduced abrasion/wear, lighter weight, and minimal corrosion within the saline air environment. The rail surface will possess similar conductivity properties as copper with minimal rail-to-armature arcing. As a side benefit, with carbon being a natural lubricant, the proposed rail material may assist in increasing the launch velocity of an armature for the same input of energy.