Accession Number:

AD0442467

Title:

INADEQUACY OF THERMAL INITIATION THEORY IN INTERPRETING RESULTS OF FISSION-FRAGMENT IRRADIATION OF EXPLOSIVES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

PICATINNY ARSENAL DOVER NJ FELTMAN RESEARCH LABS

Personal Author(s):

• Mallay, James F.
• Prask, Henry J.
• Cerny, Joseph

Report Date:

1964-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

31.0

Abstract:

An extreme test of the hot-spot model of explosive initiation as applied to microscale irradiation events should occur when the explosives are irradiated at elevated temperatures. To so test this model, fission-fragment irradiations of four explosives selected for their high reaction rates RDX, HMX, PETN, and nitroglycerin were performed at 125 to 215 C. No explosions or signs of thermal decomposition were observed with any of the explosives. Since a detailed analysis of the resulting cylindrical zones of radiation heating and their subsequent behavior with time predicts initiation for these particular explosives, it appears that the hot-spot model is inadequate in describing microscale irradiation phenomena.

Descriptors:

• *HIGH TEMPERATURE
• *EXPLOSIVES
• THERMAL RADIATION
• CALIFORNIUM
• EXPLOSIVES INITIATORS
• HMX
• PETN
• NITROGLYCERIN
• RDX
• DAMAGE
• RADIATION EFFECTS

Subject Categories:

• Ammunition and Explosives
• Thermodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE