Effect of Cryogenic Temperatures on the Performance of Selected Explosives
Abstract
The effect of liquid nitrogen temperature on the performance of eleven detonating and deflagrating compositions was studied experimentally. The detonating explosives included two military explosives, medium velocity dynamite and composition C-4, and five commercially available compositions. They included two 60% strength dynamites, 60% strength nitrostarch, ammonium nitrate/fuel oil, and Red Dot smokeless powder. The smokeless powder is included with the detonating compositions because true detonation waves were found to develop in pipe-confined of this powder. The deflagrating mixtures studied included both homemade and commercial black powder, and two potassium chlorate mixtures, one with powdered sugar and one with Vaseline. Measurements of the reaction velocity were made at both room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. Generally there was little change in reaction velocity between these two temperatures. For the detonating mixtures, the critical charge diameter for sustained detonation and the impact initiation sensitivity were determined at both room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. These tests for the deflagrating mixtures required confinement in pipe bombs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0908452
Entities
People
- B. D. Trott
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute