Shock-wave characterization of energetic booster-rocket propellant WAK-2 and its simulant UGS
A series of shock-loading experiments on an energetic propellant and its simulant was conducted on a light-gas gun. The purpose of this work was to characterize the shock sensitivity of WAK-2, which is a composite-modified, double-based, booster-rocket propellant and its simulant UGS. The initial objectives were to obtain Hugoniot data, to investigate the pressure threshold at which a reaction occurs, and to measure spall threshold at various impact velocities. The Hugoniot data obtained for the propellant fits the Hugoniot curve provided by the manufacturer of the propellant. A Hugoniot curve developed for the simulant was found to match that of the propellant. The initial density, {rho}{sub 0}, initial bulk sound velocity, C{sub 0}, and constant S values for the energetic propellant WAK-2 and its simulant UGS were 1.85 g/cm{sup 3}, 2.2 mm/{mu}s and 2.66, respectively. The ignition threshold pressure of the WAK-2 was found to be in the range of 3 kbar. A violent reaction was observed for a sample impacted at a pressure of 22 kbar. In spall tests, impact pressures in the range of 1.1 to 3.1 kbar were applied to the propellant/simulant. The propellant exhibited spall strengths {approximately}0.33 kbar, with its simulant being somewhat weaker, {approximately}0.22 kbar. Scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis were used to characterize the microstructures of the materials and to determine the details of the spall events. 20 refs., 19 figs., 9 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/EH
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5435322
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-89-0917; ON: DE90002633
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
PROPELLANTS
SENSITIVITY
DBP
IGNITION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NITRO COMPOUNDS
RANKINE-HUGONIOT EQUATIONS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SHOCK WAVES
BUTYL PHOSPHATES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EQUATIONS
ESTERS
MICROSCOPY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID ESTERS
090000* - Biomass Fuels
450100 - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives