Development of an improved munition casing produced by Powder Metallurgy

在与魁北克冶金中心合作开展的这一研究项目中，加拿大通用动力公司希望开发一种改进的粉末冶金弹药外壳。弹药方面的“改进”一词可以用不同的限定词来界定。在新弹药的设计过程中，破片质量和速度分布的预测对于优化弹药的杀伤效果和总体杀伤力具有重要作用。有些弹药外壳只产生少量碎片，但这些碎片的危险周长较大，造成的附带损害也较大。出于安全目的，关于碎片化的知识在进行风险管理时至关重要。该项目将进行的改进包括增强的破碎套管设计和对称为DPR-S（直接粉末轧制-冲压）的潜在生产方法的研究。选择能够i）产生所需机械性能，ii）工业化商业化和iii）减少材料浪费的固结技术至关重要。虽然不同的制造方法可以实现第一个目标，但在扩大到有利可图的工业生产线时，它们是有限的。直接粉末轧制已经商业化用于大规模生产，并已用于生产金属板。正在研究的过程的新奇是其混合性质，DPR-S。“S”代表冲压成型。DPR-S组件的微观结构对弹药组件的破碎行为起着作用。因此，将进行冶金表征，以了解设计关键区域的外壳状态。此信息将用于执行碎片性能评估并更好地了解碎片行为。 该项目将分为四个阶段。- 伪DPR-S设备的设置。通过伪DPR-S加工钢合金和通过辊压冲压加工板材。用伪DPR-S加固的套管和用辊冲压加固的板的特性。破碎性能评估。关于项目的影响，将获得的研究和知识将作为通用动力-OTS罐持续改进计划的一部分。有可能实现一种可以商业化的新产品。对于CMQ，DPR-S方法将在未来的项目中开发和使用。

In the context of this research project in collaboration with the Centre de Metallurgy of Québec, CMQ, General Dynamics-OTS Canada wishes to develop an improved munition casing produced by Powder Metallurgy (PM). The term "improvement" regarding munitions can be defined by different qualifications. In the design process of new munitions, the prediction of the mass and velocity distributions of fragments plays a significant role to optimize the effects and the overall lethality of the munition. Some munition casings produce only a few fragments; however, these fragments have a larger hazardous perimeter resulting in higher collateral damage. For safety purposes, knowledge about fragmentation is essential in conducting risk management. The improvement that will be developed within the project consists of an enhanced fragmentation casing design and the study of a potential production method termed DPR-S, Direct Powder Rolling - Stamping.The selection of a consolidation technique that can i) yield the required mechanical properties, ii) be industrialized for commercialization and iii) reduce material waste is essential. Although different manufacturing methods can achieve the first, they are limited when it comes to scaling up to a profitable industrial production line. Direct Powder Rolling has already been commercialized for large scale production and has been used to produce metal sheets. The novelty of the process being studied is its hybrid nature, DPR-S. The "S" stands for the stamp forming. The microstructure of the DPR-S components plays a roll on the fragmentation behavior of the ammunition components. Therefore, metallurgical characterization will be performed to comprehend the casing state in key regions of the design. This information will be used to execute the fragmentation performance evaluation and better understand the fragmentation behavior. The project will be divided in four phases. - Set-up of pseudo-DPR-S equipment.- Processing of steel alloys by pseudo-DPR-S and sheets by roll-stamping.- Characterization of casings consolidated by pseudo-DPR-S and plates by roll-stamping.- Fragmentation performance evaluation.Regarding the impact of the project, the research and knowledge that will be gained will be applied as part of General Dynamics-OTS Can continued improvement initiative. Possibly achieving a new product that can be commercialized. For the CMQ, the DPR-S method will be developed and used in future projects.