Laser illuminated high speed photography of energetic materials

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6861725

Dosser, L R; Reed, J W; Stark, M A

The evaluation of the properties of energetic materials, such as burn rate and ignition, is of primary importance in understanding their reactions and how devices containing them perform their function. We have recently applied high speed photography at rates of up to 20,000 images per second to this problem. When a copper vapor laser is synchronized to the high speed camera, laser illuminated images can be recorded that detail the performance of a component in a manner never before possible. The copper vapor laser used for these experiments had an average power of 30 watts, and produced pulses at a rate of up to 10 kHz. The 30 nanosecond pulsewidth of the laser essentially freezes all motion in the functioning componment, thus providing stop-action pictures at a rate of up to 10,000 per second. Each laser pulse has a peak power of approximately 170,000 watts which provides ample illumination for the high speed photography. Several energetic materials and components studied include the pyrotechnic Ti/2B, a pyrotechnic torch, laser ignition of high explosives, and a functioning igniter.

• Research Organization: Monsanto Research Corp., Miamisburg, OH (USA). Mound
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00053
• OSTI ID: 6861725
• Report Number(s): MLM-3498(OP); CONF-8804159-2; ON: DE88012870
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400800* -- Combustion
Pyrolysis
& High-Temperature Chemistry
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
BORIDES
BORON COMPOUNDS
COPPER
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIVES
FLAMES
GAS LASERS
IGNITION
IMAGES
LASERS
METAL VAPOR LASERS
METALS
PHOTOGRAPHY
PYROTECHNIC DEVICES
TITANIUM BORIDES
TITANIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ULTRAHIGH-SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY
USES