Study on Lubrication Characteristics of Metal Liquid Film Based on Electromagnetic-Elastic Mechanics-Hydrodynamics Multiphysics Coupling Model

Abstract

In an electromagnetic rail launcher, a metal liquid film is created at the armature/rail (A/R) contact interface. It has a significant impact on electromagnetic launch performance. In this paper, an electromagnetic-elastic mechanics-hydrodynamics multi physics coupling model is established in consideration of the metal liquid film’s own acceleration, magnetic pressure and dynamic changes in film thickness. Based on this model, the lubricating characteristics of magnetic pressure and fluid pressure distribution, film thickness distribution and velocity distribution of the metal liquid film were studied. When the velocity of the metal liquid film is very fast, and the magnetic pressure is reduced, it may fail to maintain stability and rupture, which may be an important reason for the transition. Finally, this paper analyzes the lubrication effect of the metal liquid film, and points out that when we want strictly to control the muzzle velocity, the lubrication effect of the metal liquid film must be considered.

In-Bore Dynamic Measurement and Mechanism Analysis of Multi-Physics Environment for Electromagnetic Railguns

“…10c presents step③ (after the armature moves, the preload of the A/R contact area decreases): the surface of the aluminum armature begins to melt under the effects of friction and Joule heating, and forms a liquid aluminum film. The A/R contact becomes a solid-liquid-solid contact, and the liquid aluminum film is thicker at the trailing edge of the armature [24]. However, with the increase of input current and velocity, the melting area at the trailing edge increases, and the melting wave diffuses in all directions.…”