Laboratory methods for testing the performance of pyrotechnic delay elements

Pyrotechnic delay elements owing to their simple structure and reliability are very often used as part of the design of ammunition. Their basic task consists in generating a specified delay between the respective actions of two elements/systems, required to ensure the safe and reliable work of ammunition. The paper presents laboratory methods employed for testing the performance of pyrotechnic delay elements (PDEs) used in means of combat. The introductory part describes pyrotechnical delay elements and the task fulfilled by them in ammunition. The next part discusses performance parameters of pyrotechnic delay elements, decisive for their proper operation, and factors influencing such operation. In its main part the article presents the standard defining the laboratory methods to be employed for testing pyrotechnic delay elements. According to the above-mentioned standard, the laboratory methods of testing pyrotechnic delay elements can be divided into tests in the open and closed systems. Further, the paper discusses both types of test systems. Taking account of a wide thematic scope of the discussed issue, this article focuses mainly on presenting new methods of testing pyrotechnic delay elements, which have not been mentioned in the standard. Provided examples of tests of pyrotechnic delay elements have been taken from the Polish and foreign literature. Two methods of testing pyrotechnic delay elements are worth paying special attention, one making use of a thermal imaging camera, and the other relying on Roentgen radiation.

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Opracowanie rekordu w ramach umowy 509/P-DUN/2018 ze środków MNiSW przeznaczonych na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (2019).