Burning Time and size of Aluminum, Magnesium, Zirconium, Tantalum, and Pyrofuze Particles Burning in Steam.

The energy released by metals burning in steam has several important applications including torpedo propulsion, nuclear reactor safety, underwater vehicles, underwater ordnance, etc. This report continues the studies that were performed by Hallenbeck and Kol, Fuhs and Berger which are related to underwater shaped charge investigations. Wires of various metals were exploded in a steam atmosphere. The metals investigated were aluminum, magnesium, tantalum, zirconium, and pyrofuze. Exploding wires generated numerous hot, small particles. Using photography, the burning time and particle sizes were measured. Typical results are as follows 125 or - 25 micron diameter aluminum burns in 3.8 or - .75 ms 175 or - 35 micron diameter magnesium burns in 3.8 or - .75 ms 125 or - 25 micron diameter zirconium in 25 to 31 ms 125 or - 25 micron diameter tantalum in 24 to 50 ms and 125 or - 25 micron pyrofuze in 30 to 50 ms. The atmosphere was pure saturated steam at approximately 20 psig. Originator supplied keywords include Combustion of Metal, Burning of Metal, Combustion in Steam, Burning in Steam, Aluminum, Pyrofuze, Magnesium, Tantalum, Titanium, Zirconium, Burning Time.