Synthetic Target Material for Shaped Charge Performance Evaluation, Powdered Metal

Abstract

A shaped charge target apparatus and method for using a target composed of synthetic material, thereby allowing for repeatable testing at a variety of density and hardness values.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for testing a shaped charge comprising:
 pressing a powdered material into a disc;   sintering the disc;   placing the disc proximate to a shaped charge; and   firing the shaped charge into the disc.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disc is between 1 and 4 inches diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing a metal plate between the shaped charge and the disc. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising hardness testing the disc. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stacking one or more discs underneath the first disc to form a plurality of discs. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising placing the plurality discs in a test fixture. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising saturating the plurality of discs with a fluid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising applying a compressive radial stress to the plurality of discs. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising applying a compressive axial stress to the plurality of discs. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the powdered material including a wax powdered component. 
     
     
         11 . A shaped charge test apparatus comprising:
 a first end cap adapted to accept a shaped charge;   a second end cap; and   a body containing a hollow cylindrical interior holding a plurality of synthetic target discs.   
     
     
         12 . The shaped charge test apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a first reservoir within the body contains a first fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The shaped charge test apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a second reservoir within the first end cap containing a second fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The shaped charge test apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the synthetic target discs are composed of sintered powdered material. 
     
     
         15 . The shaped charge test apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the powdered material is composed of a metallic powder. 
     
     
         16 . The shaped charge test apparatus of  claim 11  wherein a shape charge is oriented to fire through the second fluid and the plurality of synthetic target discs. 
     
     
         17 . The shaped charge test apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the second end cap has a through opening. 
     
     
         18 . A shaped charge test apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical fixture with a hollow portion adapted for accepting a plurality of synthetic target cylinders about its outer surface, and having a hallow annulus adapted to accept a perforating gun.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of synthetic target cylinders are perpendicular to the outer surface of the cylindrical fixture. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein each synthetic target cylinder further comprises a plurality of synthetic targets stacked inside. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each synthetic target comprises a sintered powdered material in a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises powdered iron. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises powdered carbon. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises powdered copper. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises powdered molybdenum. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises a density of approximately 3.34 g/cc and a hardness of approximately 61.1 HRP. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises a density of approximately 4.35 g/cc and a hardness of approximately 70.3 HRP. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises a density of approximately 4.69 g/cc and a hardness of approximately 75.4 HRP. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises a density of approximately 5.34 g/cc and a hardness of approximately 92.2 HRP. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises a density range of 2.7 g/cc to 8 g/cc. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sintered powdered material comprises a hardness range of 48.8593 HRP to 128.1844 HRP.