Effect of cryogenic temperatures on the performance of selected explosives. Technical report, Feb--Jul 1972

Technical Report · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1972

OSTI ID:7309824

Trott, B D

The effect of liquid nitrogen temperature on the performance of eleven detonating and deflagrating compositions was stuided experimentally. The detonating explosives included two military explosives, medium velocity dynamite and composition C-4, and five commercially available compositions. They included two 60% strength dynamites, 60% strength nitrostarch, ammonium nitrate/fuel oil, and Red Dot smokeless powder. The smokeless powder is included with the detonating compositions because true detonation waves were found to develop in this pipe-confined powder. The deflagrating mixtures studied included both homemade and commercial black powder, and two potassium chlorate mixtures, one with powdered sugar and one with Vaseline. Measurements of the reaction velocity were made at both room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. Generally there was little change in reaction velocity between these two temperatures. For the detonating mixtures, the critical charge diameter for sustained detonation and the impact initiation sensitivity were determined at both room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. These tests for the deflagrating mixtures required confinement in pipe bombs.

• Research Organization: Battelle Columbus Labs., OH (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: N00174-72-C-0214
• OSTI ID: 7309824
• Report Number(s): AD-908452
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
PERFORMANCE
CRYOGENICS
DETONATIONS
LOW TEMPERATURE
MIXTURES
NITROGEN
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIVES
FLUIDS
NONMETALS
450100* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives