An overview of radiography in chemical energy warhead research

Conference · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5966694

Hull, L M

The high-speed objects and the considerable light, dust, and smoke characteristic of chemical energy warhead test firing necessitate the use of flash radiography as a major diagnostic tool. This paper reviews many of the applications of radiography to chemical warhead studies conducted by many researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Each type of contribution is illustrated by a figure, and the contributors are listed by figure number at the end. The emphasis of the paper is on the relationship between the kind of information obtained and the radiographic technique employed. Details of the techniques are provided only when it is necessary for clarity. A few examples of analysis of the radiographic data are given, but they are in no way exhaustive. The applications span a wide spectrum of flash x-ray energies and fluence, from 150-keV commercial machines to the 30-MeV, 120-R PHERMEX* machine. Low-energy x rays are useful; in the study of small or low-density objects such as highly disrupted penetrators, fragments, or spall. Medium-energy x rays are useful when blast and fragment protection is necessary, such as in the study of penetrator interactions with reactive armor, or if a moderate penetrating x-ray capability is required. High-energy x rays are useful when the data desired are internal to the structure and significant penetrating x-ray capability is required. This division of the techniques according to energy is rather loose. Significant overlap does exist and, therefore, each new application deserves individual consideration. 14 figs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5966694
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-89-1933; CONF-890885-4; ON: DE89014022
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202* -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
654000 -- Radiation & Shielding Physics
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
CHEMICAL WARFARE
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
DETONATIONS
ENERGY RANGE
EXPLOSIVES
INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY
JETS
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 100-1000
MISSILES
WARFARE
WEAPONS
X-RAY RADIOGRAPHY