Subnanosecond measurements of detonation fronts in solid high explosives

Journal Article · Sun Apr 15 00:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.447164· OSTI ID:6589009

Sheffield, S A; Bloomquist, D D; Tarver, C M

Detonation fronts in solid high explosives have been examined through measurements of particle velocity histories resulting from the interaction of a detonation wave with a thin metal foil backed by a water window. Using a high time resolution velocity-interferometer system, experiments were conducted on three explosives: a TATB (1,3,5-triamino-trinitrobenzene)-based explosive called PBX-9502, TNT (2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene), and CP (2-)5-cyanotetrazolato) pentaamminecobalt )III) perchlorate). In all cases, detonation-front rise times were found to be less than the 300 ps resolution of the interferometer system. The thermodynamic state in the front of the detonation wave was estimated to be near the unreacted state determined from an extrapolation of low-pressure unreacted Hugoniot data for both TNT and PBX-9502 explosives. Computer calculations based on an ignition and growth model of a Zeldovich--von Neumann--Doering (ZND) detonation wave show good agreement with the measurements. By using the unreacted Hugoniot and a JWL equation of state for the reaction products, we estimated the initial reaction rate in the high explosive after the detonation wave front interacted with the foil to be 40 ..mu..s/sup -1/ for CP, 60 ..mu..s/sup -1/ for TNT, and 80 ..mu..s/sup -1/ for PBX-9502. The shape of the profiles indicates the reaction rate decreases as reaction proceeds.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
• OSTI ID: 6589009
• Journal Information: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 80:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DETONATION WAVES
TIMING PROPERTIES
TATB
TNT
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
SOLIDS
TIME MEASUREMENT
EXPLOSIVES
KINETICS
NITRO COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
SHOCK WAVES
450100* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives