Prediction of Ignition Transfer Reliability in Pyrotechnic Systems Using the Varicomp Technique

Abstract

The reliability of transfer of ignition between two elements in an explosive train is of paramount importance to proper functioning of a device. Prediction of this reliability is therefore necessary in designing ignition systems. To overcome testing prohibitively large numbers of samples, penalty testing was developed. The VARICOMP technique is one such penalty test developed for explosive trains. This report examines the theory of the VARICOMP technique and applies it to predicting ignition reliability in pyrotechnic trains. This study shows that a modified Varicomp technique can be used in conjunction with small sample theory to predict the available stimulus from an igniter in a pyrotechnic system and the ignition reliability of the acceptor pyrotechnic. The use of the Bruceton calibration technique can provide adequate precision and makes elaborate and expensive calibration experiments unnecessary. However, for reliable predictions to be obtained, care must be taken to design the experiment to simulate the actual design hardware as closely as possible.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA167430

Entities

People

  • Leo V. De Yong

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Gaps
  • Data Science
  • Experimental Design
  • Explosive Trains
  • Explosives
  • Flash Lamps
  • Igniters
  • Ignition Systems
  • Information Science
  • Materials
  • Performance Tests
  • Pyrotechnics
  • Reliability
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistics
  • Test Methods

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