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Shock Initiation of Detonation in Liquid Explosives

Journal Article · · Physics of Fluids (New York)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1706353· OSTI ID:4050559
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

We describe experimental studies of the initiation of liquid explosives by strong plane shocks (pressures 50 to 100 kbar). These experiments demonstrate thermal explosion as a result of shock heating in the explosive. When the shock enters the explosive, the explosive is heated. After a delay, detonation in the heated, compressed explosive begins at the interface, where the explosive has been hot longest. The detonation proceeds through the compressed explosive at a velocity greater than the steady state velocity in uncompressed explosive, overtaking the initial shock and overdriving detonation in the unshocked explosive. Most of the work was done on nitromethane, but molten TNT, molten DINA, Dithekite 13, and single crystals of PETN are shown to behave in the same way. Experiments showing the effects of bubbles and shock interactions in the explosive are presented.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
NSA Number:
NSA-15-016236
OSTI ID:
4050559
Journal Information:
Physics of Fluids (New York), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids (New York) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 4; ISSN 0031-9171; ISSN PFLDAS
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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