Behavior of lightly confined high explosives in a jet-fuel fire. [HMX, TATB, NQ]
The effects of a jet-fuel fire on the bahavior of several plastic-bonded explosives of military interest were investigated. Eight small spherical explosive assemblies cased in stainless steel and containing thermocouples to record the ambient flame temperature at several points inside the assembly were fabricated. The explosive formulations contained HMX, TATB, NQ, or combinations of HMX with either TATB or NQ. When these units were tested, similar behavior for all formulations was observed. Thee were no detonations. Decomposition began at the outer surface of the high-explosive charge and proceeded slowly toward the center, and all casings vented under the pressure of the decomposition products. Thermograms showed that, under the test conditions, TATB is the most thermally stable and NQ is the least stable of the three explosives tested.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6297091
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-52659
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
450100* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
450202 -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
EXPLOSIVES
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
OXIDATION
SAFETY
STABILITY
TATB
THERMAL DEGRADATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WEAPONS