Numerical investigation on the dynamics of aluminum wire explosions

Explosions of aluminum wires driven by a negative fast rising current (similar to 80A/ns) are numerically investigated by using a magnetohydrodynamic code with cold start conditions. A wide range of semi- empirical equations of state based on the Thomas-Fermi-Kirzhnits model and a modified Lee-More-Desjarlais conductivity model are used to model the behavior of the exploding product. The formation and the evolution of the core-corona structure are presented. The corona reaches a maximum temperature of similar to 100 eV after the voltage breakdown and expands at a constant speed of 39 km/s. The influence of the wire diameter on the characteristics of the explosion is studied, which shows the maximum energy deposition of 2.6 eV/atom at a wire diameter of 18.4 mu m. The simulation is compared with the previous experimental result and shows good agreement. Published under license by AIP Publishing.