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Title: Development and application of LEESA (Low Energy Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus)

Abstract

A precision Low Energy Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus (LEESA) was developed in the voltage range 0--3000 volts dc and was employed over a capacitance range of 25--50,000 pF on sensitive, very sensitive, and extremely sensitive pyrotechnic fuels and compositions. Zirconium powder, Zr/KClO{sub 4} pyrotechnic, titanium powder, Ti/KClO{sub 4} and TiH{sub x}/KClO{sub 4} pyrotechnics (x = 0.65, 1.65) and several other sensitive materials were evaluated. LEESA simulates casual human contact with potentially hazardous materials. In operation, a hand-held probe is applied to the sample to discharge the capacitance. As the probe approaches the sample, a spark jumps from the probe tip to the sample when the gap closes to the appropriate distance. This is analagous to a finger or a tool touching a sensitive material during which maneuver a spark jumps to the material. LEESA defines the probability of ignition over a voltage or energy range and is capable of thousands of trials on a test material in the span of a few hours. In addition to evaluating static sensitivity, the effect of electrode polarity, individual differences between operators, test method, humidity, sample size, particle size, capacitance, time constant RC, and voltage versus energy have been determined. The equipment is inexpensive andmore » easy to build and use and is a low risk method because of the small quantities of sensitive material being tested at any one time. The accuracy and precision of the results surpasses that of methods currently in use. 7 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. EG and G Mound Applied Technologies, Miamisburg, OH (USA)
  2. Wright State Univ., Dayton, OH (USA)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
EG and G Mound Applied Technologies, Miamisburg, OH (USA)
Sponsoring Org.:
DOE/DP
OSTI Identifier:
6615224
Report Number(s):
MLM-3652(OP); CONF-900792-10
ON: DE90015742
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-88DP43495
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 15. international pyrotechnics seminar, Boulder, CO (USA), 9-13 Jul 1990
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; ELECTRIC SPARKS; HAZARDS; ELECTROSTATIC PROBES; DESIGN; EXPLOSIVES; IGNITION; SENSITIVITY; ACCIDENTS; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; HUMIDITY; OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY; POWDERS; PROBABILITY; RISK ASSESSMENT; STATISTICS; TEMPERATURE EFFECTS; TESTING; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; MATHEMATICS; PROBES; SAFETY; 450100* - Military Technology, Weaponry, & National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives; 440800 - Miscellaneous Instrumentation- (1990-); 360603 - Materials- Properties

Citation Formats

Carlson, R S, and Wood, R L. Development and application of LEESA (Low Energy Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus). United States: N. p., 1990. Web.
Carlson, R S, & Wood, R L. Development and application of LEESA (Low Energy Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus). United States.
Carlson, R S, and Wood, R L. 1990. "Development and application of LEESA (Low Energy Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus)". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6615224.
@article{osti_6615224,
title = {Development and application of LEESA (Low Energy Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus)},
author = {Carlson, R S and Wood, R L},
abstractNote = {A precision Low Energy Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus (LEESA) was developed in the voltage range 0--3000 volts dc and was employed over a capacitance range of 25--50,000 pF on sensitive, very sensitive, and extremely sensitive pyrotechnic fuels and compositions. Zirconium powder, Zr/KClO{sub 4} pyrotechnic, titanium powder, Ti/KClO{sub 4} and TiH{sub x}/KClO{sub 4} pyrotechnics (x = 0.65, 1.65) and several other sensitive materials were evaluated. LEESA simulates casual human contact with potentially hazardous materials. In operation, a hand-held probe is applied to the sample to discharge the capacitance. As the probe approaches the sample, a spark jumps from the probe tip to the sample when the gap closes to the appropriate distance. This is analagous to a finger or a tool touching a sensitive material during which maneuver a spark jumps to the material. LEESA defines the probability of ignition over a voltage or energy range and is capable of thousands of trials on a test material in the span of a few hours. In addition to evaluating static sensitivity, the effect of electrode polarity, individual differences between operators, test method, humidity, sample size, particle size, capacitance, time constant RC, and voltage versus energy have been determined. The equipment is inexpensive and easy to build and use and is a low risk method because of the small quantities of sensitive material being tested at any one time. The accuracy and precision of the results surpasses that of methods currently in use. 7 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6615224}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}

Conference:
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