Deflagration-to-detonation transition in small-diameter columns of PETN

Technical Report · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6586782· OSTI ID:6586782

Dinegar, R H

The transition from deflagration to detonation in pure pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) confined in small-diameter (2-mm) steel columns of three lengths (6.4, 9.6, and 12.8 mm) was examined. These relatively low density pressings of PETN were deflagrated by donor charges of high-density PETN that had been ignited by a hot wire. A dent produced in an aluminum witness block was the criterion for determining detonation. The transition from burning to detonation occurred in pressings of all three lengths. Detonation velocities sufficient to initiate high-density PETN booster pellets were reached in the 9.6- and 12.8-mm pressings.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6586782
• Report Number(s): LA-8696; TRN: 81-008700
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
PETN
DENSITY
DETONATIONS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DATA
ESTERS
EXPLOSIVES
INFORMATION
NITRATES
NITRIC ACID ESTERS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TESTING
450100* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives