Accession Number:

ADA230187

Title:

An Analysis of Impact Initiation of Explosives and the Currently Used Threshold Criteria

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Jan 1989-Feb 1990

Corporate Author:

ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER PICATINNY ARSENAL NJ ARMAMENT ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE

Personal Author(s):

• Fishburn, Barry D.

Report Date:

1990-11-01

Pagination or Media Count:

48.0

Abstract:

This work ties together published experimental and theoretical results concerning the threshold condition for initiation of explosives during impact andor penetration by projectiles or shaped charge jets. The shape of a projectiles tip, which may effect either pressure if pointed or duration if rounded, has well known strong effects on the threshold velocity. A qualitative analysis is incorporated which satisfactorily relates these effects to results obtained with flat nosed rod impacts. Further, evidence is presented that even shaped charge jets display a significant nose shape effect, which adds complication to evaluating the response of explosives to jets. There is a strong, convincing evidence that for each impactor effective diameter, a certain threshold pressure is required for initiation. However, some nominally conflicting data exist and are discussed.

Descriptors:

• *EXPLOSIVES
• IMPACT
• NOSES
• PENETRATION
• PRESSURE
• PROJECTILES
• QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
• SHAPE
• SHAPED CHARGE JETS
• THRESHOLD EFFECTS
• VELOCITY

Subject Categories:

• Ammunition and Explosives
• Explosions

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE