High-temperature shock initiation of explosives

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5117159· OSTI ID:5117159

Ramsay, J B; Craig, B G; Dick, J J

The detonation sensitivity to plane shockwave loading of three polycrystalline, high-density explosives (PBX-9501, DATB, and TNT) was measured for runs-to-detonation up to 2.5 cm in the temperature range 25 to 150/sup 0/C. Streak camera recording was used to obtain the shock-wave propagation distance, the initial shock velocity in the explosive, and the free-surface velocity of the driver. For PBX-9501 and DATB no significant change in distance-to-detonation was detected between 25 and 100/sup 0/C, whereas a decrease in the distance-to-detonation of approximately 30% for the same input pressure was noted for shots fired at 150/sup 0/. A small decrease in distance-to-detonation was noted for cast TNT between 25 and 73/sup 0/. The time-to-detonation for liquid TNT at 150/sup 0/ for an input shock strength of 13 GPa was measured. Possible mechanisms leading to increased sensitivity in polycrystalline explosives at high temperature are discussed. However, the nonmonotonic nature of the relationship between pressure and distance-to-detonation as a function of temperature indicates that a simple thermal model is not adequate.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5117159
• Report Number(s): LA-7158
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DETONATIONS
EXPLOSIVES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MEASURING METHODS
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
NITRO COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
SENSITIVITY
SHOCK WAVES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TNT