Application of Flash X-Ray Radiography System in Muzzle Image Diagnosis of Railgun

Because the X-ray can penetrate the flame and smoke in the railgun's muzzle to detect the armature situation, an X-ray digital imaging system is assembled for railgun muzzle diagnostics, which consists of Scandiflash 300kV flash X-ray system, PROSCAN 35 X-ray computer radiography (CR) imaging system and image processing software. The flash Xray system provides short and intense pulses of X-ray. The image plates are placed behind the armature, perpendicular to the x-ray beam axis. The X-ray digital imaging system can take 4 time sequence images of 1.4m within the muzzle of projectile. Observing these images, the experimental information about the trajectory, attitude and appearance of the armature can be obtained. And some important ballistic parameters, such as muzzle velocity and the ablation condition of armature also can be obtained via analyzing these images. The parameters can provide reliable experimental parameters for the mechanism of electromagnetic launch and designing the railgun launcher.