AN ELASTOMERIC EJECTION SYSTEM

The ability of elastomers to store large quantities of energy, which c an subsequently be recovered very quickly, makes them attractive mater ials for propulsion devices. Recently the U.S. Navy has developed a to rpedo ejection system based on an elastomeric mechanical capacitor. Th e criteria governing selection of a material for this application incl ude high elastic energy, sufficient fatigue life, minimal creep, and r esistance to deterioration by seawater. This paper describes various a pproaches to obtaining these material properties.