In-Flight Mass Measurement of Small Fragments and Projectiles

Penetration and cratering studies at hypervelocities make use, primarily, of light gas guns and explosive devices to accelerate projectiles for the impact study. The highest velocities achievable to date with other than micron-sized projectiles are obtained from explosive accelerators (shaped charge) or modified light gas guns incorporating a third stage. Such devices produce one or more randomly shaped particles of undetermined mass; and meaningful impact studies at very high velocities require a method of accurate measurement of the mass of a small fragment after acceleration but before impact. An experimental technique for mass measurement, which is simple in concept and operation, has been developed and demonstrated. A high-speed flash X-ray system is used to photograph the projectile or projectiles in flight. A theoretical treatment utilizing the X-ray mass absorption coefficient of the projectile material, and the linearity of the film density as a function of the logarithm of the exposure, is used to demonstrate that the density change over a finite area of the film is directly proportional to the mass in the path of the X-ray beam. The measurement is independent of ``blurring'' due to the finite exposure time and tumbling of the projectile. Analysis of the exposed film can be conducted in a few minutes and requires only the measurement of average density at five or six positions on the film. Independent measurements of the masses of all projectiles in the field of view are possible. The demonstrated accuracy of the technique is better than ±5 percent.