Cryofracture Demilitarization of Munitions. (Phase I).

Abstract

The U.S. Army has been tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the demilitarization of obsolete munitions currently in the stockpile. In support of this activity, efforts are underway to develop technologies which will accomplish the demilitarization in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. The use of cryofracture to accomplish this task for small explosive loaded munitions is one of the technologies being developed. This report details the results of tests conducted on M42/M46/M77 submunition grenades and M61/M67/M69 hand grenades to determine the feasibility of using cryofracture to demilitarize these munitions. Prior to conducting tests using live grenades, inert grenades-where available--were used to establish parameters such as the acceptable time in the cryobath and the crush height of the press. The report also contains concepts and preliminary cost estimates for a production demilitarization facility using cryofracture technology.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA315237

Entities

People

  • Andrew Lute
  • Jim Huntsinger
  • Paul Betts

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Combustion
  • Control Systems
  • Elements
  • Engineering
  • Explosive Charges
  • Explosives
  • Grenade Fuzes
  • Grenades
  • Hand Grenades
  • Hydraulic Presses
  • Ignition
  • Materials
  • Munitions
  • Production
  • Projectiles
  • Test Facilities

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering