Ignition Effect of the Fuel-Filled Tank Caused by the Reactive Projectile Impact

Abstract: The ignition behavior of the polytetrafluoroethylene/aluminum/tungsten reactive projectile impacting a fuel-filled tank is experimentally investigated. In ballistic experiments, the reactive projectiles and the steel projectiles are launched from a smooth bore powder gun barrel to impact fuel-filled tanks at different velocities. The processes are recorded by a high-speed video camera. The result of the ignition-enhanced behavior of the reactive projectile relative to the steel projectile is presented. When the reactive projectile impacts the fuel-filled tank, the combined effects of the kinetic energy impact and the chemical energy release are achieved to improve the ignition probability. Especially, the flame (ignition kernel of the fuel) caused by the reactive projectile has a longer duration and a greater expansion region.