Determination of Shock Initiation and Detonation Characteristics of PE4 in Proof Test Geometries
Abstract
PE4 is a white, soft plastic explosive. It is the standard service explosive for demolition and explosive ordnance disposal. The basic ingredients are: RDX grade B (boiled and milled) - 88%; Plasticizer (PE4 grease) - 11%; Pentaerythritol di-oleate, PEDO - 1%. Various shock initiation and detonation properties relevant to the detonation proof testing of PE4 are reported and used to assess the results of a survey of over 450 proof tests on production PE4 for the five year period up to 1981. Conclusions from the investigation include: high moisture content can cause failures; large variations in plasticizer content (up to double) do not cause failures; voids in the PE4 adjacent to and under the detonator do not cause failure; a void across the complete diameter of the PE4 test sample adjacent to the steel plate can cause partial failures; the L2A1 detonator has more than sufficient power to detonate the PE4; full detonation is achieved within the PE4 and the test geometry is several orders of magnitude greater than the critical diameter to support detonation. Keywords: Plastic explosives; RDX; Sensitivity; Shock; Detonation. (Australia)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA164484
Entities
People
- L. A. Learmonth
- M. C. Chick
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group