TNT Equivalency of Benite Propellant
Abstract
In support of the Army-wide modernization program, the Manufacturing Technology Div of the U.S. Army Armament Research and Development Command developed design standards for structures required to withstand the effects of an explosion. The use of these standards--in a safe and cost effective manner-- requires that the airblast characteristics of the energetic materials used by the Army be empirically determined. Since the air blast capabilities of Benite propellant are not available in the current literature, a TNT equivalency test program was initiated. Its objective was to determine the maximum airblast output from detonation of Benite propellant in terms of peak pressure and positive impulse compared to known characteristics of a hemishperical surface burst of TNT. Peak side-on blast overpressure and scaled positive impulse were measured for Benite propellant, using configurations that simulate the handling of bulk material during processing and shipment. Quantities of 10.43 and 41.8 kg were tested in orthorhombic shipping containers and fiberboard boxes. TNT equivalency values for each test series were obtained as a function of scaled distance by comparison to known pressure, arrival time, and impulse characteristics for hemispherical TNT surface bursts. Pressure and impulse equivalencies were found to be less than 65% for all quantities tested.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA077108
Entities
People
- J. P. Caltagirone
- M. F. Leondi
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center