The cartridge case and its surrounding chamber are subjected to a severe environment during gun
firing with both mechanical and thermal loads applied. The interactive response of the two
components to this environment is extremely complex and depends on a large number of variables.
(some of which are listed below).
Initial case/chamber radial gap
Case material properties (including variation with temperature and load rate)
Case thermal characteristics (specific heat, density, conductivity, and/or diffusivity)
Case and chamber thicknesses
Chamber design stress level
Chamber thermal/mechanical properties
Initial temperature of case and chamber
Thermal forcing function (especially, the change in temperature at peak radial strain and at extraction)
