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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Mechanism of failure of two pyrotechnic components

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5316514

An investigation of two unrelated pyrotechnic test device misfires revealed an ignition phenomenon that helps to explain the well-known necessity of maintaining good integrity between bridgewire and powder in hot-wire devices that use insensitive pyrotechnic powders. The factor common to both devices was the TiH/sub 1.65/:KC10/sub 4/ in a 33:67 weight percent ratio. This material is being used because of its high static insensitivity, a characteristic that makes good bridgewire contact mandatory for reliable ignition. Extensive work with a scanning electron microscope revealed that not only does the bridgewire require entrapment, but the initiation reaction gases must be contained within the immediate vicinity of the bridgewire or the initiation will not be sustained. Evidence is presented to document the phenomenon that caused the misfire of both components that were investigated. 9 refs., 17 figs.

Research Organization:
Monsanto Research Corp., Miamisburg, OH (USA). Mound
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00053
OSTI ID:
5316514
Report Number(s):
MLM-3291(OP); CONF-850742-2; ON: DE85017421
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English