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Title: Microstructural effects in shock initiation of granular explosives. [Hexanitrostilbene (HNS)]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6177139

The shock sensitivity of explosives having identical chemical compositions and densities can be very different if they differ significantly in their microstructural characteristics. In the current work, the explosive hexanitrostilbene (HNS) is used to examine the effects of microstructural characteristics on shock initiation processes. Initial powders having three distinct grain-size distributions are used to press binderless pellets at a common density that is 92% of crystal density. The effects of the pressing operations are shown in grain-size distributions found for powders recovered from dispersed pellets. Planar impact techniques are used to generate sustained shock waves at pressures from 2.5 to 3.4 GPa in each type of HNS material. Laser velocity interferometry is used to observe the evolution of these waves propagating in each material. In addition, two methods for observing visible emission from the shock-compressed explosives are used to provide more sensitive indicators of chemical reactivity. The results clearly show that the three types of HNS have fundamentally different shock initiation behaviors under the conditions examined. 24 refs., 8 figs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6177139
Report Number(s):
SAND-86-2339C; CONF-871040-9; ON: DE87011282
Resource Relation:
Conference: International symposium on pyrotechnics and explosives, Beijing, China, 12 Oct 1987
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English