The Effect of Ageing on PBXW-115 (Aust.), PBXN-1O3 and PBXN-1O5.
Abstract
When PBXW-115 (Aust.) is exposed to accelerated ageing according to the program set out in DEFAUST 5168: Cycle B2, mass loss (attributed to loss of plasticiser, isodecyl pelargonate) occurs, the Shore A hardness increases and the tensile properties alter somewhat. There is a link between these changes and it is probably related to the plasticiser content of the samples. From a kinetic analysis, it appears as if there may be two consecutive mass loss processes operating in the accelerated ageing of PBXW-115 and each obeys a first order reaction kinetics profile; the first predominates up to the stage where a mass loss equivalent to ca. 55 % of plasticiser occurs, the second operates where the plasticiser content is low. However, in the time domain studied (one year), there is no evidence of catastrophic structural change (loss of integrity or propensity to crumble) in PBXW-115 (Aust.) under worst case conditions (test pieces of small volume and large relative surface area), suggesting that the explosive charge in warheads filled with PBXW-115 (Aust.) should remain intact over a long interval of time. jg p2
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA304206
Entities
People
- D. J. Whelan
- G. Bocksteiner
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group