Stress Analysis of Autofrettaged Midwall Cooled Compound Gun Tubes

Abstract

Analytical solutions for shrink-fit compound gun tubes were used to study the effects of the liner/sleeve interface diameter, the radial interference, and the effect of machining tolerances on tube strength. Finite element analyses were then done of a midwall cooled compound gun tube where a loose-fitting inner tube (liner) is permanently deformed by means of hydraulic pressure to lock it to the outer tube (sleeve). The interaction between the liner and sleeve was modeled with contact elements. The effect of machining subsequent to the hydraulic autofrettage was taken into account. Simulations were first done for smooth tubes with initial clearance of varying magnitude and, second, for the case where the liner has axial semi-circular cooling channels machined on its outer surface. Manufacturing tolerances were found to be much less critical for the hydraulic autofrettage than with the shrink-fit option. The interface diameter seems to be a relatively insensitive parameter. Relatively large initial clearance between inner and outer tubes can be tolerated. The hydraulic autofrettage option therefore seems better than the shrink-fit only option for compound gun tubes. It was demonstrated that the effect of the cooling channels on the stresses in the tube is significant and substantially weakens the inner tube. However, it is still possible to produce a workable design.