DETONATION OF A CYLINDER OF HIGH EXPLOSIVE CONTAINING AN AXIAL CORE OF PYROTECHNIC COMPOSITION
Abstract
In order to determine whether an explosive based on the complete combustion of aluminum within the detonation zone would be superior to existing explosives, observations were made of the detonation behavior of a composite, consisting of an outer cylindrical shell of 9404 explosive (OD = 1.5 inches, ID = 0.5 inch) and an inner cylindrical core of 60/40 potassium perchlorate/ aluminum (OD = 0.5 inch). The explosive shell was in the form of two cylinder- halves. The 60/40 insert consisted of pressed pellets, of density 2.35 g/cm3. These experimental results showed the following: jet effects in the residual space between the cylinder-halves; the 60/40 detonation always propagating at a rate set by side initiation and compression by the 9404; the aluminum combustion completed as an afterburning process, rather than forward of the Chapman-Jouguet plane. Computer calculations of the ideal detonation velocity of the 60/40 predicted speeds of 6685 m/s and 7442 m/s for densities of 2.25 and 2.50 respectively. It was concluded that the 60/40 composition can not be made to provide an explosive superior to 9404.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0415926
Entities
People
- D. Dorfman
- E. Dalrymple
- J. Hershkowitz
Organizations
- Picatinny Arsenal