Characteristics Study of Mild-Detonating Fuse and Flexible Linear Shaped Charge for Metal Plate Cutting

In many types of spacecraft and missile systems, the vehicle’s skin cutting are carried out by using the mild-detonating fuse (MDF) or the flexible linear shaped charge (FLSC). MDF is a very thin metal tube that filled with explosive charges and has an axisymmetric shape. FLSC is an inverted chevron-shaped flexible tube that generates hypervelocity jet to penetrate or cut thick metal structures. In this study, the characteristics of MDF and FLSC for metal plate cutting are identified. First, the fracture mechanisms due to MDF and FLSC are numerically analyzed in 2-D plane strain using ANSYS AUTODYN, one of commercial hydrocodes. By using proposed numerical scheme, the effects of the cutting methods and the design parameters on cutting performance, fragmentation and backward shock waves are studied; the pros and cons of MDF and FLSC for metal plate cutting are clarified. The numerical method and the results of this study provide the guidelines to select metal plate cutting method and help to establish the design method for optimal metal plate cutting; the number of the expensive explosive experiments can be reduced.