DEVELOPMENT OF EXPLOSIVES: METALLIZED EXPLOSIVES
Abstract
An investigation of some thirty metals, alloys or metallic compounds in admixtures with TNT indicated that tin, magnesium-aluminum alloy, titanium hydride, and zirconium hydride should be of interest as additives in place of aluminum in Tritonal. Many of the relationships between performance in terms of brisance or power and readily determined or calculated thermochemical properties, which have been shown to exist with pure explosives, were somewhat obscure when applied to TNT-metal mixtures. Measurements of actual peak pressures developed from unconfined cylindrical charges detonated in air confirm the prediction that tin appears worthy of further study. Tests of the other promising additives in admixtures with TNT should be conducted using spherical charges. The direct substitution of magnesium-aluminum alloy for aluminum in Torpex, resulted in a castable mixture having explosive properties and power comparable to standard Torpex. From the standpoint of improved stability, such a substitution was indicated to be desirable. Modified Torpex-type compositions containing up to 35 percent by weight of aluminum were castable at 95 deg C. A coarse, atomized aluminum powder permitted a greater amount of RDX in the mixture than the finer specification materials. However, on the basis of the explosive properties determined and the termo-dynamic power calculated, none of the variations of Torpex studied in which the proportions of the ingredients were changed would be superior to standard torpex. Actual blast measurements of their effectiveness in open-air will be made to confirm the above conclusions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0018672
Entities
People
- H. E. Labeur
- J. E. Abel
- O. E. Sheffield
Organizations
- Picatinny Arsenal