Influence of Copper Wire Heat Guides on the Combustion Velocity of Organic Based Charges for Gas Generators of Base Bleed Projectiles

Organic fuel based pyrotechnic charges for gas generators (GG) of Base Bleed (BB) projectiles have shown better combustion characteristics than metallic based ones. Since organic fuel based compositions are representative of energy poor pyrotechnic mixtures, they combust at lower combustion velocities. Conventional methods for heat transfer enhancement of GG charges, based on the introduction of metallic fuel components into pyrotechnic mixtures, are very successful in raising the combustion velocity, but inevitably, they also tend to force production of solid and liquid combustion products which reduce the GG charge’s functionality. In this paper, the results obtained by inserting copper wires (copper wire heat guides (HG)) into organic-based gas generator charges will be presented. The aim of inserting copper wires was to enhance the combustion velocity by influencing on the thermal heat transfer of GG charges. The results have shown that copper wire heat guides had a positive influence on the GG charges heat transfer, resulting in a 15-20% rise in the combustion velocity, without any of the side effects observed in the case of the addition of metallic fuels to GG charges.