Metallographic characterization is presented of thermal damage of Cr-coated steel in a fired cannon; Cr and Ta coated steel in a vented-erosion-simulator; and bulk in laser heating. Common features of rapid crack-induced erosion are noted. (i) Cracks form normal to the surface, often permanently open, indicating tensile stress was present at some point during thermal damage. (ii) Softening of Cr and Ta coatings and occurs near the heated surface, verified by metallography and hot hardness. The transformation of steel beneath the coatings is used as an in-situ verification of temperatures that cause thermal damage. (iii) Crack-induced under-cutting of thermal-damage islands is observed for coatings and bulk . A thermomechanical analysis of rapid crack-induced erosion observed in severe cannon firing and firing simulation suggests the following key failure mechanisms common to metals and . (i) High near-bore transient temperatures increase thermal expansion compression and concurrently decrease the elevated temperature strength. For metals, the thermal compression stress greatly exceeds strength, to depths of about . (ii) Thermal stress exceeding strength produces compressive yielding, which, upon cooling, causes tensile residual stress and cracking. The near-bore residual tension is high enough to cause one-cycle cracking of both Cr and Ta coatings; hydrogen from combustion enters via the cracks and causes cracking in the steel below the coating. For , cracks are encouraged by the low fracture toughness of . (iii) Repeated thermal cycles deepen and widen cracks to form islands that can be undercut, leading to island removal and rapid erosion failure of the cannon. For Cr and Ta coatings, undercutting is by hydrogen cracking in the steel and degradation of the coating interface by combustion products that enter via the cracks. For , undercutting is by direct thermomechanical cracking.
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Research Papers
Thermomechanically Controlled Erosion in Army Cannons: A Review
John H. Underwood,
John H. Underwood
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
e-mail: junder@pica.army.mil
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189
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Gregory N. Vigilante,
Gregory N. Vigilante
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189
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Christopher P. Mulligan,
Christopher P. Mulligan
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189
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Mark E. Todaro
Mark E. Todaro
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189
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John H. Underwood
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189e-mail: junder@pica.army.mil
Gregory N. Vigilante
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189
Christopher P. Mulligan
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189
Mark E. Todaro
US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Benét Laboratories
, Bldg 115, Watervliet, NY 12189J. Pressure Vessel Technol. May 2006, 128(2): 168-172 (5 pages)
Published Online: January 11, 2006
Article history
Received:
November 15, 2005
Revised:
January 11, 2006
Citation
Underwood, J. H., Vigilante, G. N., Mulligan, C. P., and Todaro, M. E. (January 11, 2006). "Thermomechanically Controlled Erosion in Army Cannons: A Review." ASME. J. Pressure Vessel Technol. May 2006; 128(2): 168–172. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2175022
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