Particle Impact Simulation and Ignition Prediction

An experimentally calibrated tool is needed to predict if a system is susceptible to failure by particle impact ignition (PI) based on use conditions, materials, and flow geometry. This tool will accelerate new components, evaluating existing hardware, and help disposition anomalies.

- Conduct particle impact testing with in-situ diagnostics and complementary simulations on subset of key engineering materials (IN718, M400, 316L, 6061, Ti64, Zr) to develop a proof-of-concept predictive tool for assessing the risk of PI for idealized geometries (spherical particles) in realistic environments.
- Assess particle/target interactions (coefficient of restitution, ignition, kindling) using instrumented particle impact rigs while systematically varying key parameters (materials, particle size, environment, target configuration).
- Determine key field variables (temperature, strain, stress) in particle impacts using Multiphysics finite element and hydrocode simulations validated through comparison with experimental measurements and observations.
- Synthesize experiments and simulations into constitutive models for PI that can be integrated with existing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and Debris Transport Analysis (DTA) tools in future efforts.