The Thermal Response of TATB-Based PBXs
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
In the design mode of operation, TATB-based PBXs, such as PBX 9502 or LX-17, are promptly initiated by a detonator and booster system. In abnormal situations, such as accidents, a wide variety of non-design-mode insults can arise and it is desirable that these do not produce detonation but rather that, at most, they lead to a low chemical energy release. The most significant abnormal hazard is the direct shock initiation threat arising from high-velocity fragment impact. This is quite well defined and may result in a detonative response if the fragment is large enough and fast enough. However, it is of considerably greater significance to the safety envelope of these explosives whether they are at all capable of DDT (deflagration-to-detonation transition), either at ambient or elevated temperatures since accidental insults to the explosive, either mechanical or thermal, that may produce local burning are both more numerous and more likely than shock loading. The purpose of this document is to demonstrate, based on the accumulated body of conservative experimental testing, that in explosive geometries and masses relevant to the Weapons Program, TATB-based PBXs do not present a deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) hazard at any temperature. This is a significant statement since it removes detonative outcome concerns from the majority of insult scenarios on TATB-based charges. It does not address the response of included detonator and booster assemblies, the response of which must be considered separately.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- OSTI ID:
- 1168714
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-15-20327
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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