Semi-Empirical Model Derivation and Validation to Predict Burst Pressure of Rupture Diaphragms for Use in Impulse Facilities

Hypersonic impulse facilities heavily rely upon the bursting of metallic diaphragms, rather than fast valves, for facility operation. It is critical to know accurately predict the pressure at which the metallic diaphragm(s) burst to properly set the desired test conditions downstream. A simplified semi-empirical model to predict burst pressure of aluminum diaphragms is presented as a quicker, but still accurate, alternative to computational finite element methods. The method modifies a previous formulation to accommodate for differences in materials. Thickness, score depth, and score geometry were all varied. The model was compared against experimental data, achieving an average error of 10.03%. The model over-predicted the burst pressure at small thickness ratios and under-predicted at large thickness ratios. Larger variations in experimental burst pressure data was exhibited at larger diaphragm thicknesses. Overall, the results support the model's suitability for use in hypersonic impulse facilities that require metallic diaphragms for operation.