Gleeble Testing to Assess Solid/Liquid Metal Embrittlement of Gun Steels by Copper

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Abstract
Gleeble testing was performed to assess the solid/liquid metal embrittlement of gun steels by copper. An interior ballistics and finite element model provided the maximum bore temperatures in a 155 mm gun after aggressive firing. Specimens were manufactured out of three different steels. Testing was performed on bare steel as well as copper plated specimens at temperatures ranging from 868°C to 1,100°C. Additionally, notched and un-notched specimens were tested. After testing, metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy were performed. Embrittlement occurred in all copper plated steels tested at 1,100°C. Below 1,100°C, there was only slight evidence of embrittlement.