Electrification of Lead Azide Powders under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

The electrification of lead azide powders was studied under ambient conditions by means of a vibrating trough apparatus. The experimental variables were: particle size; trough material; sample size, sample feed rate, and external electric field. The charge measured for a given weight followed very closely a square root dependence on weight in the range of sample weights used, and an inverse first power dependence on particle size in the 40 to 80 micron range of particle diameters. The inverse dependence on particle size corresponds to a constant surface charge concentration for a given powder. Applied fields of a few hundred volts per cm could neutralize the effect of spontaneous charging. Differences between different logs or types of powder and between different metals were observed and are attributed in part to article shape factors. Reversals of charging sign were noted, usually associated with contact with stainless steel.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0728129

Entities

People

  • B. D. Pollock
  • C. R. Westgate
  • W. B. Zimny

Organizations

  • Picatinny Arsenal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Counter IED
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Capacitance
  • Charge Density
  • Electric Charge
  • Electric Fields
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electrometers
  • Explosives
  • Films
  • Lead Azides
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Measurement
  • Particle Size
  • Square Roots
  • Stainless Steel
  • Thickness

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Rocket Propulsion.