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Title: Analysis of Ignition Sites for the Explosives 3,3′-Diamino-4,4′-azoxyfurazan (DAAF) and 1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoctane (HMX) Using Crush Gun Impact Testing

Journal Article · · ACS Materials Au
ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [2];  [1];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. High Explosives Science & Technology, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
  2. Explosive Applications and Special Projects, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
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The handling safety characteristics of energetic materials must be measured in order to ensure the safe transport and use of explosives. Drop-weight impact sensitivity measurements are one of the first standardized tests performed for energetics. They utilize a small amount of the explosive sample and a standard weight, which is dropped on the material from various heights to determine its sensitivity. While multiple laboratories have used the impact sensitivity test as an initial screening tool for explosive sensitivity for the past 60 years, variability exists due to the use of different instruments, different methods to determine the initiation, and the scatter commonly associated with less-sensitive explosives. For example, standard explosives such as 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoctane (HMX) initiate reliably and consistently on the drop-weight impact test, whereas insensitive explosives such as 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-azoxyfurazan (DAAF) exhibit variability in sound levels and the expended material. Herein we investigate the impact sensitivity of DAAF and HMX along with a more detailed investigation of ignition sites using a novel “crush gun” apparatus: a pneumatically powered drop-weight tower with advanced diagnostics, including high-speed visual and infrared cameras. Using this crush gun assembly, the ignition sites in HMX and DAAF were analyzed with respect to the effects of particle size and the presence of a source of grit. The formation of ignition sites was observed in both explosives; however, only HMX showed ignition sites that propagated to a deflagration at lower firing speeds. Finally, the presence of grit particles was shown to increase the occurrence of ignition sites in DAAF at lower firing speeds, though propagation to a full reaction was not observed on the time scale of the test. These results enable a better understanding of how ignition and propagation occurs during the impact testing of DAAF.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1808014
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2000908
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-21-23744
Journal Information:
ACS Materials Au, Journal Name: ACS Materials Au Vol. 1 Journal Issue: 2; ISSN 2694-2461
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Explosive
DAAF
HMX
Handling sensitivity
Ignition site
Crush gun
Impact
Safety
Granular materials
Materials
Particle size
Testing and assessment