THE THERMAL SENSITIVITY OF EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANTS
Abstract
The thermal sensitivity test, was applied to a number of energetic solids and liquids, including some new and unusual compounds. The correlation between the temperature at which a solid organic explosive reacts in 250 microsec and the materials impact sensitivity was extended and supported by new experimental data. The thermal sensitivities of a number of energetic mixtures were determined and interpreted on the basis of the kinetics and heat output of the initiating decomposition reaction. A scale of thermal sensitivities for liquid explosives and propellants was established and considered on the basis of current understanding of the sensitivity of liquids. Although the thermal sensitivity results generally do not agree with the results of accepted sensitivity tests, it is recommended that thermal sensitivities be run on newly synthesized, energetic liquids. The meaning of the thermal sensitivity results in terms of Arrhenius parameters governing the initial stage of the explosive decomposition reaction is considered briefly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0327866
Entities
People
- Joseph Wenograd
Organizations
- Naval Ordnance Laboratory