Construction, Characterization and Evaluation of the AMRL Flyer Sensitivity Test Apparatus.
Abstract
The AMRL flyer sensitivity test apparatus (FSTA) uses the electric gun technique to accelerate 50 micrometer thick plastic flyer plates of about 3.5 mm in diameter to high velocity. Impacting high explosives with the flyer plates generates short duration shock pulses with sufficient energy to cause ignition. By varying the charge voltage, and hence the flyer velocity, the relative shock sensitivity of explosives can be measured. Detonation or nondetonation of the explosive is indicated by the level of damage to a steel witness plate. The FSTA was found to be suitable for testing 50 mg samples of pressed explosives with shock sensitivities in the range represented by PETN (high) to Composition B (low). A flyer velocity versus charge voltage calibration up to a charge voltage of 6 kV was performed using a VISAR velocity interferometer. The shock sensitivity can be related to charge voltage in the range 5-10 kV or flyer velocity in the range 2-4 km/s. A comparison of the FSTA with similar USA testers is presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307169
Entities
People
- David J. Hatt
- Michael G. Wolfson
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group