Explosive output

Energy release, explosive output, and critical diameter... 

Plastic explosives contain one or more of the explosives listed above, moulded in an inert, flexible binder. Because powders do not readily hold a shape and TNT is the only common melt-castable explosive, most of the explosive powders (RDX, HMX, PETN, 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB)) are plasticized to make a mouldable material, for example, C-4, Semtex H, PE4, sheet explosive. A variety of plasticizers are added, but the maximum level is usually 10-15% because most plasticizers are inert and would degrade explosive output. Plastic explosives were originally developed for convenient use in military demolitions but have since been widely used in terrorist bombs. For detection techniques that rely on vapour signatures, such as canine olfaction, it is worth considering that the plasticizer is much more volatile than the explosive component. 

A widely recognised approach uses the modified Kistiakowsky—Wilson rules to predict the chemical products from an explosion, and then the Berthelot approximation to evaluate the explosive output compared with a standard explosive, usually TNT. 

Berthelot s approximation is then employed whereby the explosive output is assumed to be proportional to the product of the heat of explosion and the volume change. 

Explosive Output Tes -ing. Under this tide V.J. Menichelli briefly describes in Ordn 48 663-66 (1964), the following tests for detonators Trauzl Test, Sand Bomb Test, Steel Dent Test and Lead Disk Test... 

In other words, the initiator, also called primary explosive, is initiated by a small energy input and its explosive output initiates the booster, which in turn, initiates the main charge that is, HE filling. The booster is sufficiently insensitive yet capable of initiation by the initiator. Booster explosives are limited in number (Tetryl and PETN) and their explosive properties are in between initiators and main charges. 

DETERMINE EXPLOSIVE OUTPUT (PEAK PRESSURE IMPULSE)... 

GIVES SAME EXPLOSIVE OUTPUT AT SAME DISTANCE AS TNT AIRBLAST CHARACTERISTICS DEPENDENT UPON MANY VARIABLES... 

Kennedy, J.E., Explosive Output for Driving Metal, In Behavior and Utilization of Explosives In Engineering Design, ASME and Univ. of New Mexico, March 1972, Albuquerque, N.M. (U)... 

Given the many forms or structures in which hydrocarbons can occur, along with the fairly broad number of substituent groups that can be attached onto or into them, it is apparent that an almost limitless variety of explosive compounds are possible. Of this almost limitless variety, surprisingly few are commonly used. The number is severely limited by several factors. The cost of raw materials and processing is one of the major factors. Thermal stability, chemical compatibility, toxicity, physical form, handling sensitivity, and explosive output prop-... 

Modern formulations for whistle compositions and flash powders are not as sensitive to accidental ignition as those from the past. However, once ignited their potential for explosive output renders these materials worthy of great respect. 

Because incendiary and explosive output of pyrotechnic materials can be equally devastating, rating their hazard can amount to rating their potential for accidental ignition. 

Pyrotechnic hazards include both incendiary and explosive output, and most often result from accidental ignitions. 

Of course these calculations are based on rather idealized behavior. In reahty, other factors, such as actual density of the charge (which may be significantly lower than the crystal density, the latter being the maximmn value attainable) and non-ideal detonation behavior, have a bearing on the comparison. Some actual performance testing has been reported ( [29,30], Sect. 10) and indicates that FOX-7 is comparable with RDX in its explosive output. 

Figure 2. Calculated explosive output along the isentrope - relative to HMX (ONC Octanitrocubane TTC Tetranitrotetrazacubane DDT Dinitro- diazatetrahedrane).

Detonator An explosive device used to produce a detonation in a high explosive material. Detonators typically contain an ignition mixture, a sensitive primary explosive that detonates from the ignition stimulus, and a high explosive output charge that is taken to detonation by the shock from the detonation of the small amount of primary explosive (which is usually lead azide, Pb(N3)2>. Detonators are used with explosive devices—they are not components of propellant and pyrotechnic systems. The blasting cap is a common type of detonator. 

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