High-performance, extrusion-cast explosives with low sensitivity: Interim report No. 2

Technical Report · Tue Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6415125· OSTI ID:6415125

Scribner, K. J.; von Holtz, E.; Simpson, R. L.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has developed a class of explosives having both high performance for modern precision munitions and greater safety for reduced vulnerability of launch platforms (ships, planes, ammunition storage sites) to enemy fire or accidents. Known as extrusion-cast explosives (ECXs), they have demonstrated performance levels equivalent to the most powerful now available, but test results indicate they are far less sensitive than the conventional high-energy explosives. Specifically, in a sympathetic-detonation test, ECX that was immediately adjacent to a deliberately-detonated donor charge did not detonate in two of three tests, whereas Comp B did detonate sympathetically in this test. Also, this ECX provided performance equivalent to that of the high-performance explosive LX-14, when tested in the TOW (tube-launched, optically-sighted, wire-guided) missile. This report describes the performance, vulnerability, and processing (at this stage of development) of this class of explosives. 9 refs., 18 figs., 11 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6415125
• Report Number(s): UCRL-53890; ON: DE89010279
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
EXTRUSION
CASTING
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
FABRICATION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASTICIZERS
STABILITY
THERMAL EXPANSION
EXPANSION
EXPLOSIVES
MATERIALS WORKING
450100* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives