Publications Details

Lifetime predictive capabilities for materials in the enduring stockpile

Koeck, D.C.

Although materials understanding and modeling is not currently advanced to the point of failure prediction for most critical areas for stockpile components, research should continue to extend the knowledge base and enable science based choices for future programs or upgrades. Several critical areas are lacking for a science-based lifetime extension of the current stockpile. Hermeticity is critical for many components but modeling and predicative capabilities are limited in these areas. PETN is prevalent throughout the stockpile but modeling and predictive capability for autocatalysis and non-hermetic lifetimes is limited. Corrosion is a frequently observed age-related finding from the historical stockpile but the ability to predict the initiation of corrosion is limited. Advanced electronics are in some current weapons types and will most likely be a part of any retrofits and upgrades in the future. Understanding of stress voiding and electromigration in microelectronics is limited and predictions are not yet available. Polymeric materials are prevalent throughout the stockpile and temperature dependent response mass transport properties are not well understood. Modeling and predictive capabilities for polymeric materials are limited.