Internal Ballistics Using Two Different Propellant Grain Form Functions.
by J. Pike.
CoA Report No. 9003, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK, March 1990.

Summary.
The combustion of multi-tube propellant grains is represented either by the Corner form function or an exact parallel burning layer expression. The exact expression predicts significantly different burning characteristics near the end of the burn to that of the Corner form function. When used in a typical gun firing calculation, the exact expression gives pressure histories which are closer to the experimental results. It also gives longer burn times and a reduction in the muzzle velocity of the projectile.

Comment.
The results suggest that the commonly used Corner form function for burning propellant grains is inaccurate near the completion of the burning. Although the exact parallel burning expression cannot fully represent the burning due to variations in the burning process, it does appear to provide an improved approximation to the burning rate of the grains.

Availability.
View paper CoA report 9003 or email J A C K @ J A C K P I K E . C O . U K

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Last amended: Dec 2013.