High Temperature Polymer Composites for EM Rail Gun Bore Insulators(1001-355)

Triton Systems Inc. (Triton) has successfully tested two candidate polymer composite bore insulator materials which demonstrate superior ablation by electric arc resistance than a G-10 laminate (epoxy/E-glass) historically used in electromagnetic (EM) rail guns. In this proposed Phase II technical effort beginning with the Phase I Option, Triton will commence a comprehensive evaluation of melamine and polysilazane matrix composites. Chopped fiber and laminate constructions will be characterized with alumina, quartz and glass fiber with these polymer matrices. Testing will also include G-10 laminates (epoxy polymer/glass fabric), the standard bore insulator material used in rail guns as a reference. Triton, along with support from BAE Systems – Armament Systems Division and Sandia National Laboratories will fabricate composite materials to characterize selected mechanical and thermal properties. To simulate material response to plasma within the EM rail gun bore, materials will be subjected to High Velocity Oxygen Fuel thermal spray with aluminum particles conducted by Sandia and Exploding Wire Electron Transfer Dissociation to be conducted by BAE Systems. Following laboratory testing, a material construction will be selected and fabricated in scaled up dimensions for test fire in a EM Rail Gun to be determined.