The Effect of an Electric Field on Sensitivity of Primary Explosives

Abstract

The electrostatic hazard of handling primary explosives (RD1333 lead azide, dextrinated lead azide, basic lead styphnate, and tetracene) due to their exposure to electric fields was evaluated. The study showed that RD1333 lead azide became slightly more sensitive electrostatically after a particular sequence of voltage applications. The average electric field strength required to initiate explosion in pressed, dextrinated lead azide was a function of the density and thickness of the wafers, and varied from 37 to 73 kV/cm. This was generally less than the dielectric breakdown strength of air. It was demonstrated that the initiation of the pressed, dextrinated lead azide could not be solely due to bulk Joule heating but also involved an electric field effect.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA040620

Entities

People

  • Maurice S. Kirshenbaum

Organizations

  • United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Counter IED
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Detonations
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrodes
  • Energetic Materials
  • Explosions
  • Explosives
  • Field Tests
  • Geometry
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Laser Dyes
  • Lead Azides
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Resistance
  • Security
  • Styphnates
  • Thickness

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Rocket Propulsion.