Electrostatic sensitivity

Electrostatic sensitivity tests, however, provide an important measure of the hazards associated with processing and handling. The nature of the test and interpretation of the results are key factors. But it is only when the energy transfer mechanism is understood that reliable extrapolations and predictions for new situations can be made. 

Stance such as lead azide with different apparatus and under different conditions (Table I). 

Many of the differences have been explained by Moore, Sumner. Wyatt [1-7] and Kirshenbaum [8, 9], They showed that the electrical circuit, spark-gap-explosive geometry, cathode properties, and nature of the explosive all play important roles. The circuit components and spark-gap geometry affect the rate of energy delivery, efficiency of energy transfer, and character of the spark. One of the problems is differentiation between the contributions to the observed results made by the spark and by the explosive. 

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Design features for enabling handling of product Handling of electrostatic-sensitive devices Handling hazardous materials Handling fragile materials... 

Segregation may also be necessary in the packaging of products not only to prevent visible damage but electrical damage, as with electrostatic-sensitive devices. Segregation may be the only way of providing adequate product identity, as is the case with fasteners. While a well-equipped laboratory can determine the difference between products and materials the consumer needs a simple practical method of identification and labeled packets are often a reliable and economic alternative. 

Effect of Heat, (see Thermal Decomposition) Electrostatic Sensitivity. An electrostatic discharge of over 5 joules is required to initiate AP (NG 3 joules) (Ref 24, p 46). ... 

The use of radioactive ionization sources in areas subject to explosion or fire is undesirable because of the potential for area contamination with radioactive material which could be disseminated in the event of an explosion or fire. With proper precautions, however, electrical ionizing systems can be safely and effectively utilized while processing electrostatically sensitive energetic materials. Ions are generated electrically by corona discharge... 

There seems to be a noticeable difference in the Ball Drop Impact results and this could be attributed to the inherent error associated with this relatively crude test for instance, the manner and precise location, at which the steel ball impacts the explosive particles can vary and lead to inconsistent results. Friction and electrostatic sensitivity was consistent across all of our batches of DBX-1 as well as PSEMC DBX-1 (Table 3) In terms of determining the effectiveness of a primary explosive, sensitivity tests results are generally only predictive in how to safely handle the material in order to determine if the explosive is practical or not, performance tests need to be done to see how well the material behaves in actual items, such as detonators. 

Another type of testing, that of electrostatic sensitivity, has been demonstrated in some cases to be more properly a delicate test of the ignitability of the material under localized thermal stress which correlates best to the friction sensitivity of the system under test rather than to electrostatic hazards. On the other hand, electrostatic tests done in the supposed atmosphere above a propellant mixer were reduced in absolute value by more than an order of magnitude when the ammonium perchlorate dust actually present was introduced in the test since this altered the potential path for spark discharge within the system. 

Department of Defense (1987) MIL-STD-650, ARDEC Laboratory Method, Approaching Electrode Electrostatic Sensitivity Test , Method T 512.1. 

Footwear The workers should wear conductive and non-sparking footwear while working with electrostatic-sensitive explosives. 

Figure 5 Marcus behavior for the back-ET process at electrostatically sensitized Sn02 interface for a series of complexes spanning a broad range of redox potentials. Line drawn is a classical Marcus curve [Eq. (1)] based on X = 1.4 eV. (Adapted from Ref. 36.)...

Husten (Ref 16) reports that Basic LSt is a violent expl in addn to its neat, friction, and impact sensitivity, it also has an electrostatic sensitivity which renders handling loading particularly hazardous. 

VIII. Electrostatic Discharges and Sensitivity of Explosives to Initiation by Them, entitled in PATR 4319(1972) as Electrostatic Sensitivity Testing for Explosives... 

Iowa (Ref 28) reported static electricity developed during LA handling. Monte si (Ref 31) described a fixed gap electrostatic discharge apparatus for characterizing expls. Perkins of PicArsn (Ref 32) gave a survey of methods of testing for electrostatic sensitivity of expls, while Gentner (Ref 33) described a test for Comp B. Satyavratan ... 

The last section of Ref 35, entitled " A Proposed Research Program for Electrostatic Sensitivity Testing of Primary Explosives is intended to lead to improved procedures and a better understanding of electrostatic spark initiation... 

A Statistical Evaluation of the Pyrotechnics Electrostatic Sensitivity Tester", PicArsnTech Note No 26 (July 1959)... 

C. R Westgate (Johns Hopkins Univ), B.D. Pollock (PicArsn) M.R. Kirshenbaum (Pic Arsn), Electrostatic. Sensitivity Testing for Explosives , PicArsn Tedi.Rept 4319, (April. 1972), AMCMS Code 552C. 12,55901, Dover, NJ, 07801 (Detailed resume is given In this writeup)... 

Electro-Explosive Devices (EED s) Sensitivity Electrostatic. The design and operation of a circuit, to study the pin-to-case electrostatic sensitivity of EED s is described in Ref 1. 

Circuit for Studying the Electrostatic Sensitivity of Electroexplosive Devices , Explo-stoffe 19, No 2, pp 33—43 (Feb 1971)... 

Electrostatic sensitivity Expln or fire None None... 

The card gap test is one of the important tests that has been accepted by the explosives industry to distinguish between a material classified as mass detonating, Military Class 1.1, and a material classified as a fire hazard only, Military Class 1.3 (Ref 47). The card gap test has been described in earlier sections (Vol 6, GI3-R ff), as have other tests on detonation and explosion criteria (Vol 4, D299-R ff) Electrostatic Sensitivity Tests... 

There is no standard electrostatic sensitivity test equipment but the basic components of any... 

Static Electricity and Sensitivity to Initiation by Electrostatic Discharge. See under Electrostatic Discharges and Sensitivity of Explosives to Initiation by Them in Vol 5, E38-L to E55-L Addnl Refs 1) M.S. Kirshenbaum, Response of Lead Azide to Spark Discharges Via a New Parallel-Plate Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus . PATR 4559 (1973) 2) Ibid, Functional... 

Circuit Parameter Approach to the Electrostatic Sensitivity of Primary Explosives , Proclntl-ConfResPrimaryExpls, ERDE, Waltham Abbey, Essex, Engl (17—19 March 1975) 3) Ibid,... 

Response of Primary Explosives to Gaseous Discharges in an Improved Appro aching-EIec-trode Electrostatic Sensitivity Apparatus , PATR 4995 (1976) 4) Ibid, An Improved Electro-... 

Electrostatic Sensitivity 50% pt, Joules Explosion Temp in 5 secs, °C Failure Diameter, cm Friction Sensitivity at 440kg-cm Friction Test (Sliding Rod)... 

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