Could a Pneumatic Be more powerfull Than A Hybrid

[cannon freak]

Is it possible that a pneumatic cannon could be more powerfull after a certain point. What I mean is that if you were to make a very large hybrid out of say stainless steel, after reaching a max #X mixture that won't exsplode the chamber, couldn't you make a more powerfull pneumatic that could reach higher pressures. Beceause the Hybrid would reach imense pressures but the shock wave from the combustion of the fuel would mean that you would need a stronger pipe to widthstand it, so couldn't you go with more pressure from a pneumatic and use that extra strength from the chamber for more psi's. Now I really have no clue if im right or terribly wrong but I just want know.

[Jakal444]

You can only reach the pressure that the pipe reaches, other than that a hybrid will always be more powerful. Its something to do with the way it creates and releases pressure.

[jrrdw]

Ask Rambo, he seems to be the hybryd cannonor/expert on that subject.

[boilingleadbath]

Well, a propane-air hybrid can only operate a 9x (generating, what, 700psi?) mix at most (beyond that, the propane liquifies), but you could always use ethane once you hit that boundry.

Other than that, yes, using a pneumatic would probably allow somewhat higher pressures and thus be slightly more effective for heavy projectiles... but you have to find a way of providing the large pressures.

With light projectiles, the hybrid wins (unless you fancy using compressed helium or hydrogen) due to the higher speed of sound in hot gasses.