Development of Safe Separation Criteria for the Manufacture of BLU bomblets
Abstract
The purpose of this program is to obtain the safe separation criteria for in-plant activities involving bulk explosives and explosive-filled ordnance related to the manufacturing and assembly of BLU bomblets. The tests were carried out to simulate, as closely as possible, actual processing activities. They demonstrated that maintenance of specific separation distances can minimize property damage and reduce the probability of propagation resulting from a detonation. Test results indicated: (1) 27.3 kg cyclotol in cardboard containers require a safe separation of 5.5 m. If the cyclotol is in 3 mm thick 6061-T6 or 7075-T6 aluminum boxes, the safe separation distance is in excess of 8.2 m. If the aluminum boxes are shielded with 9 mm of kevlar bonded to the containers, the safe separation is reduced to 7.3 m. (2) BLU-63 A/B hemispheres in pouring trays can be conveyed safely with the trays in intimate contact as long as the riser is limited to 2.0 kg of explosive. (3) Loose BLU-63 A/B hemispheres must be at least 13 mm apart. Complete bomblets must be separated 25 mm to be safe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA087241
Entities
People
- E. P. Bergmann
- F. E. Slater
- R. M. Rindner
- W. O. Seals
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute