The Explosive Component Water Gap Test

Abstract

In the safety assessment of munitions, the explosives used must be identified. In addition to national legislation and regulatory requirements, the safety and suitability of the explosives used by military services is assessed according to STANAG 4170 before selection and incorporation into the munition. Explosive components used in fuzing systems normally contain explosives that are more sensitive than main charge explosives. Small changes of loading conditions involving pressure-density and/or confinement can radically alter their performance and characteristics, which can affect their safety. Therefore, it is essential that these effects are thoroughly assessed during development and, if necessary, in production. The Explosive Component Water Gap Test (ECWGT) has been developed to assist in this assessment. The aim of this paper is to give the background to and explain the conduct of the ECWGT, a means of testing the shock sensitiveness of explosive components cheaply and in a reproducible manner. The paper is intended to extend the test method to cover cord- and tube-shaped explosive components as well as ignition transfer elements.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA526465

Entities

People

  • A. J. Morley

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Acceptance Tests
  • Arming Devices
  • Explosive Trains
  • Explosives
  • High Explosives
  • Ignition
  • Law
  • Materials
  • Materials Testing
  • Munitions
  • Munitions Testing
  • Nations
  • Production
  • Shock
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering
  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Systems Analysis and Design