Isotope studies of detonation mechanisms of TNT,RDX, and HMX

An analysis is performed of experimental data from isotopic tracer studies of the detonation mechanism and formation of the diamond phase of carbon in the detonation products of TNT, RDX, HMX, and their mixtures. Dependences of the relative yield and phase composition of carbon in the detonation products of components of composite explosives on the particle sizes of the explosives are given. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 96–103, September–October, 2007.     

Detonation properties of ammonium nitrate

A published equation for determining the detonation parameters of mixed explosive compositions is used to compute the detonation characteristics. When this equation was used to analyze the detonation parameters of 6ZhV ammonite, the detonation characteristics of the TNT and ammonite in this composition were taken from published data and the parameters of the ammonium nitrate were determined from the equation for the mixture. The results of large-scale experiments on a mixture of no more than 3% TNT with ammonium nitrate are presented. The detonation velocity of ammonium nitrate is found to be 5 km/sec. The equation for the mixture is used to determine the pressure and adiabatic exponent of the explosion products of ammonium nitrate when the size of the explosion exceeds the limiting diameter. Translated fromFizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 102–104, March–April 1999     

Density distribution at the detonation front of cylindrical charges of small diameter

A synchrotron radiation based technique is use to study the density distribution at the detonation front and its neighborhood for condensed explosives. Particular data are obtained on the structure of the detonation front in TNT, RDX, and an alloy of TNT with RDX; a comparison of the data with those obtained using different techniques confirms the correctness of the technique. It is concluded that adequate information on the structure of the chemical-reaction zone can be obtained for charges of small diameter. At the same time, it is shown that the Chapman-Jouguet parameters for such charges are far from their predicted values for an infinite medium. The results of the work, including those on the curvature of the detonation front in charges of small diameter, supplement the existing knowledge of the detonation transformation in condensed explosives. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 91–99, March–April, 2007.     

Preparation and Performance of a HNIW/TNT Cocrystal Explosive

A novel cocrystal explosive composed of 2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexanitrohexaazaiso‐wurtzitane (HNIW) and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) in a 1 : 1 molar ratio was effectively prepared by solvent/nonsolvent cocrystallization adopting dextrin as modified additive. The structure, thermal behavior, sensitivity, and detonation properties of HNIW/TNT cocrystal were studied. The morphology and structure of the cocrystal were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SXRD). SEM images showed that the cocrystal has a prism type morphology with an average size of 270 μm. SXRD revealed that the cocrystal crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca, and is formed by hydrogen bonding interactions. The properties of the cocrystal including sensitivity, thermal decomposition, and detonation performances were discussed in detail. Sensitivity studies showed that the cocrystal exhibits low impact and friction sensitivity, and largely reduces the mechanical sensitivity of HNIW. DSC and TG tests indicated that the heterogeneous exothermic decomposition of the cocrystal occurs in the temperature range from 170 °C to 265 °C with peak maxima at 220 °C and 250 °C and significantly increases the melting point of TNT by 54 °C. The cocrystal has excellent detonation properties with a detonation velocity of 8426 m s⁻¹ and a calculated detonation pressure of 32.3 MPa at a charge density of 1.76 g cm⁻³, respectively. Moreover, the results suggested that the HNIW/TNT cocrystal not only has unique performance itself, but also effectively alters the properties of TNT and HNIW. Therefore, the cocrystal formed by HNIW and TNT could provide a new and effective method to modify the properties of certain compounds to yield enhanced explosives for further application.     

The Influence of Temperature in the Range from 77 k to 338 k on the Detonation Velocity of RDX/TNT 60/40

The detonation velocity of rods made of RDX/TNT 60/40 was determined with high accuracy in the temperature range from 77 K to 338 K. It was found out that the detonation velocity decreases with increasing temperature. To explain this thermodynamically unusual behaviour it is assumed that the effect of the increase of the detonation velocity with increasing temperature is superposed on the decrease caused by the simultaneous decreasing density of the explosive.     

Measurement and calculation of the ideal detonation velocity for liquid nitrocompounds

Results of experimental measurements are presented for the dependence of the detonation velocity on the charge diameter for homogeneous nitromethane and propylene glycol dinitrate and for the ideal detonation velocities for allyl nitrate, diethlyene glycol dinitrate, methylene glycol dinitrate, and ethyl nitrate. Literature data on measurement of the dependence of the detonation velocity on the charge diameter for liquid TNT, nitroglycerin, glycol dinitrate, and methyl nitrate are collected. It is shown that measured values of the ideal detonation velocity are in good agreement with calculated values obtained by the SD method, which uses the equation of state of materials at a high pressure (see B. N. Kondrikov and A. I. Sumin, Fiz. Goreniya Vzryva, No. 1, 1987). A correlation between the ratio of the critical detonation velocity to the ideal velocity and the heat of explosion is obtained, which makes it possible to estimate the limiting value of the latter at which homogeneous liquid nitrocompounds lose detonatability. Translated fromFizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 111–117, September–October 1998.     

Cast aluminized explosives (review)

This paper reviews the current status and future trends of aluminized explosives. The major focus is on cast compositions, which encompass both the melt-cast trinitrotoluene (TNT) based and the slurry cast polymer-based compositions. Widely reported RDX and HMX based aluminized compositions with TNT used as a binder are discussed in detail. Various researchers have suggested a 15–20% Al content as an optimum from the viewpoint of velocity of detonation. A higher Al content, however, is incorporated in most of the compositions for a sustained blast effect, due to the potential of secondary reactions of Al with detonation products. The effect of the aluminum particle size on performance parameters (velocity of detonation, etc.) is included. There are some recent works on nanometric Al based compositions, and the results obtained by various researchers suggest mixed trends for RDX-TNT compositions. Studies on nitrotriazol and TNT based compositions bring out their low vulnerability. Some of the interesting findings on ammonium dinitramide and bis(2,2,2-trinitro-ethyl)nitramine (BTNEN) based compositions are also included. The review brings out superiority of polymer based aluminized explosives, as compared to conventional TNT based compositions, particularly, with respect to low vulnerability. In general, aluminized plastic bonded explosives find numerous underwater applications. Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is also incorporated, particularly, for enhancing underwater shock wave and bubble energy. Hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene appears to be the binder of choice. However, nitrocellulose, polyethylene glycol, and polycaprolactone polymer based compositions with energetic plasticizers, like bis-dinitropropyl acetal/formal (BDNPA/F, 1/1 mix), trimethylol ethane trinitrate, and triethylene glycol dinitrate are also investigated. Polyethylene glycol and polycaprolactone polymer based compositions are found to be low vulnerable, particularly, in terms of shock sensitivity. Highly insensitive polymer bonded nitrotriazol based compositions are being pursued all over the globe. The highly insensitive CL-20/AP combination meets the demands of high density and high velocity of detonation. Glycidyl azide polymer and poly nitratomethyl methyl oxetane appear to be binders of interest for plastic bonded explosives in view of their superior energetics. The vulnerability aspects of these compositions, however, need to be studied in detail. Brief information on plastic bonded and gelled thermobaric explosives is also included. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 98–115, July–August, 2008.     

Energy release of mixed explosives during propagation of a nonideal detonation under conditions similar to the operation conditions of a blasthole charge

Detonation experiments were performed in a specially developed explosive device simulating a blasthole using charges of fine-grained and coarse-grained (granular) 30/70 TNT/ammonium nitrate mixtures of identical density 0.89 g/cm³ in steel shells with an inner diameter of 28 mm and a wall thickness of 3 mm at detonation velocities of 4.13 and 2.13 km/sec, respectively. Despite significant differences in detonation velocity (pressure), identical expansion of the charge shells was observed. On the other hand, numerical simulations of detonation propagation in the explosive device with the corresponding velocities ignoring the possibility of energy release behind the shock front show that the expansion of the charge shell is always greater in the case of a high-velocity regime. It is concluded that under the conditions simulating detonation propagation and the work of explosion products in a blasthole, effective additional energy release occurs behind the low-velocity (nonideal) detonation front. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 111–120, July–August, 2007.     

Influence of HMX particle size on the synthesis of nanodiamonds in detonation waves

The effect of the particle size of HMX in alloys with TNT on the synthesis of nanodiamonds in a detonation wave was studied experimentally. Mixtures with a TNT content of 40 to 90% and the specific surface area of HMX varied in the range of 5–510 m²/kg were investigated. For all mixtures, an increase in the particle size of HMX was found to lead to an increase in the yield of nanodiamonds with the maximum yield shift toward alloys with increased TNT content. The results are explained using a model based on the absence of thermodynamic equilibrium between the components of the heterogeneous explosive during detonation. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 79–84, March–April, 2008.     

Nonclassical steady-state detonation regimes in pressed TNETB

The reaction zones and the dependence of the velocity of steady-state detonation waves on the initial density of pressed TNETB are studied using a VISAR interferometer. It is shown that, in the range of initial densities of TNETB 1.56–1.77 g/cm³, the propagation of a steady-state detonation wave is possible without the range of elevated pressures (chemical spike) in the reaction zone predicted by the classical theory. The dependence of the detonation velocity on the initial density shows singularities which indicate that a steady-state underdriven regime can occur in this range of initial densities. Based on the well-known theoretical concepts of the hot-spot decomposition mechanism of heterogeneous explosives, it is shown that the possibility of the existence of a steady-state detonation wave without a chemical spike, in particular, underdriven detonation, and the effect of the internal structure of the charge on the detonation regime are explained by the decomposition of explosives at the shock-wave front. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 97–103, November–December, 2007.     

Detonation Velocity of Emulsion Explosives Containing Cenospheres

The detonation velocity of an emulsion explosive containing hollow alumosilicate microspheres (cenospheres) as the sensitizer is measured. The size of the microspheres is 50–250 μm. The relations between the detonation velocity and the charge density and diameter are compared for emulsion explosives containing cenospheres or glass microballoons as the sensitizer. It is shown that for a 55 mm diameter charge, the maximum detonation velocity of the composition with cenospheres of size 70–100 μm is 5.5–5.6 km/sec, as well as for 3M glass microballoons. The critical diameter for the emulsion explosive with cenosphere is 1.5–2 times larger than that for the emulsion explosive with glass microballoons and is 35–40 mm. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 119–127, September–October, 2005.     

Detonation velocity of BTNEN/Al

The effect of the addition of Al on the detonation velocity of bis(2,2,2-trinitroethyl) nitramine (BTNEN) was studied experimentally. It is shown that the dependence of the detonation velocity of BTNEN on the initial density is nearly linear, and a 75/25 BTNEN/Al mixture is characterized by an increase in the slope of the dependence with increasing density. The addition of Al decreases the detonation velocity of BTNEN. The density range characterized by a maximum decrease in the detonation velocity is determined. A comparison of experimental detonation velocities of BTNEN/Al mixtures with literature data obtained by calculations taking into account a possible change in the phase state of Al₂O₃ showed that the thermodynamic model used in the calculations needs to be improved. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 125–130, July–August, 2006.     

Using the tracer method to study detonation processes

The tracer method was used to study the synthesis of nanodiamonds during detonation of composite explosives. Alloys of TNT with RDX, HMX, PETN, and benzotrifuroxan were studied. It was shown that, in all cases, most nanodiamonds were formed from TNT carbon. It was concluded that during the chemical reaction in the detonation wave propagating in heterogeneous explosives, equilibrium parameters were not established. In homogeneous TNT/PETN mixtures, individual components react with each other to form common products. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 92–98, November–December, 2008.     

Numerical modeling of TATB shock-wave heating

A model of shock-wave heating of condensed high-explosives (HE) in which a refined dependence of the heat capacity of an HE on temperature is used and the effect of the initial density of the HE is taken into account is given. The dependences of HE (TNT, PETN, and TATB) heating on pressure in the shock-wave front are calculated. Modeling of TATB heating is of interest for understanding the shock-wave detonation initiation, including the dependence of the shock-wave sensitivity on the initial density and temperature of an HE. Translated fromFizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 94–99, March–April, 2000.     

Synthesis of ultrafine diamonds from alloys of TNT with polycyclic nitramines

The synthesis of ultrafine diamonds from alloys of TNT with new polycyclic nitramines was studied experimentally. The use of nitramines with an oxygen balance smaller than that of RDX increases the yield of ultrafine diamonds. An increase in the particle size of the sensitizer in the TNT alloys was shown to result in a higher yield of diamonds. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 131–134, July–August, 2006.     

老化对TNT基熔铸炸药性能的影响

为了研究老化对炸药性能的影响,对自然贮存的3种熔铸炸药TNT／RDX、TNT／RDX／Al和 TNT／HMX／Al进行了加速老化试验。通过扫描电镜、真空安定性试验研究了老化前后3种炸药的微观形貌和安全性能,并测试了老化前后3种炸药的感度和爆速。结果表明,老化后炸药颜色变深,体积膨胀,质量变轻。样品的放气量小于2 mL／g ,热感度变化也较小。机械感度的变化与炸药组分和老化方式有关。TNT／RDX的爆速随着贮存时间的增加而降低,与整体加速老化情况一致,TNT／RDX／Al和 TNT／HMX／Al的爆热随贮存时间的增加变化趋势相反,说明两者老化机理可能不同。     

Effects of Aluminum Particle Size on the Detonation Pressure of TNT/Al

To better understand the influence of the aluminum particle size on the detonation pressure of TNT/Al, electrical conductivity experiment and detonation pressure experiment were performed in this study. Four types of TNT/Al were considered, in which the particle size of aluminum was 50 nm, 100 nm, 1.50 μm, and 9.79 μm, respectively. The combustion process of Al in TNT/Al was detected by electrical conductivity experiment, and the detonation pressures of TNT/Al were measured by using the manganin pressure sensors. According to the experimental results, the Chapman Jouguet (CJ) pressure of the explosive containing nano‐sized aluminum is higher than the explosive containing micron‐sized aluminum powder because of the combustion of nano‐sized aluminum in the detonation reaction zone. In addition, a smaller aluminum particle size in TNT/Al is associated with a slower detonation pressure attenuation. This study gives a clearer picture of how aluminum particle size contributes to detonation pressure on timescales from 0 to 0.82 μs.     

Solid-state detonation velocity limits

The ranges of solid-state detonation velocities are estimated, based on the volume velocity of sound in the reacting mixture (lower limit) and the wave velocity corresponding to the pressure of polymorphic transformation of the product with formation of a more dense phase (upper limit). The latter values are consistent with gas-dynamic estimates of detonation velocities and correlate with detonation velocities of typical high explosives. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 104–106, September–October, 2007.     

Effects of Aluminum Content on TNT Detonation and Aluminum Combustion using Electrical Conductivity Measurements

To improve the understanding how aluminum contributes in non‐ideal explosive mixtures, cast‐cured formulations were analyzed in a series of electrical conductivity experiments. Five types of TNT‐based aluminized explosives, with aluminum mass fractions from 0 % to 20 % were considered in this study. The electrical conductivity of the detonation products in aluminized explosives was measured using an improved conductivity measurement method. The conductivity measurement results show that the detonation process of TNT‐based aluminized explosives can be divided into two stages: the first stage is the detonation reaction of TNT, and the second stage is the combustion reaction of aluminum with the detonation products. In the first stage, the duration of the TNT detonation increases with increased aluminum content; examination of the peak conductivities of the explosives with various aluminum contents indicated that a higher aluminum content is associated with a lower peak conductivity. Additionally, the ignition time of Al in the second stage is also determined. This work not only presents a means for studying the detonation process of aluminized explosives at 0–2.21 μs, but it also verified the relationship between the aluminum content and electrical conductivity in detonation products.