PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF PASTE EXPLOSIVE
Abstract
Tests were conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing a special-purpose RDX base paste explosive as an expedient substitute for standard military explosives. The paste explosive was found to be less sensitive than Comp. C-4 Columns 1 in. in diam were able to transmit propagation across 1/4-in. air gaps in the columns, but smaller columns could not. Columns 1/2 in. in diam and 20 ft long detonated high order the entire length whether the explosive was extruded on the surface of the ground or confined in steel pipe. The explosive adhered reasonably well to greased steel, concrete, and wood and to a lesser degree to wet or muddy surfaces. Aluminum powder and other additives can be rapidly mixed into the paste explosive to increase the blast effect. The explosive makes an effective filler for improvised shaped charges, and shows promise for use in steel and timber cutting. The paste explosive will also detonate when placed under water for brief periods. It is concluded that the use of paste explosive for military demolition missions is practicable. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0272180
Entities
People
- Howard J. Vandersluis
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratory