Effect of TNT Miscible Additives on the Mechanical Behavior and Shock Sensitivity of Composition B

Abstract

TNT miscible additives are expected to desensitize Composition B to thermal and shock initiation by filling the microvoids (porosity) developed during casting by TNT's liquid or solid volume differential. Evaluation of this concept pointed out that the effect these additives have on the explosive's mechanical response to stress may increase its vulnerability to ignition through adiabatic compression. The wax in regular Composition B appears to develop a mechanical behavior in its crushed material similar to that caused by substituting TNT miscible additives and, therefore, is suspected of being responsible for inbore explosions through the adiabatic compression mechanism. Experimental procedures are described which should be able to test the validity of these suspicions. In addition, an approach is described which would improve safety of RDX and TNT castings by controlling reaction rate during simple burning, and reducing its sensitivity to initiation by shock without the use of additives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA203968

Entities

People

  • Rodolf W. Velicky

Organizations

  • United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Burning Rate
  • Chemical Reaction Properties
  • Combustion
  • Explosives
  • Fires
  • Flash Point
  • Hazards
  • Heat Energy
  • Identification Systems
  • Ignition
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Munitions
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Projectiles
  • Security
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.