Ti/PETN (titanium/pentaerythritol tetranitrate) accident investigation

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7018517· OSTI ID:7018517

Ingersoll, D; Andrzejewski, W J

During a routine mixing operation, a 1:1 mixture of titanium and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) powders accidentally ignited. This prompted an investigation into the cause of the accident. Friction, impact, thermal, and electrostatic stimuli, as well as incompatibility between the powders, were evaluated for their potential to serve as the ignition mechanism. Although a definitive determination of the mechanism was not made, the operation that is believed to have imparted the requisite energy to cause ignition has been identified. The results of these studies, as well as recommended changes to the mixing operations, are described. 16 refs., 2 figs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/EH
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 7018517
• Report Number(s): SAND-90-0694; ON: DE90013611
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
ACCIDENTS
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DAMAGE
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTROSTATICS
ELEMENTS
ESTERS
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVES
FRICTION
IGNITION
INJURIES
INVESTIGATIONS
METALS
MIXTURES
MODIFICATIONS
NITRATES
NITRIC ACID ESTERS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OPERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
PETN
PROGRESS REPORT
THERMODYNAMICS
TITANIUM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS