Sensitivity to Fragment Impact

High-velocity fragments, bullets, or projectiles impacting the explosive charges can cause their detonation. The determination of the sensitivity level of a given explcKive to such mechanical stimuli is of considerable practical interest. 

The methods for the experimental determination of the fragment (or projectile) impact sensitivity of an explosive differ in details such as 

However, it should be pointed out that all of the methods are intencted to simulate real circumstances as adequately as possible (Barker et al., 1985 James, 1988 Kohler and Meyer, 1993 Ljungberger, 1973). 

A testing method developed in Great Britain (RARDE Fragment Attack Test) (Barker et al., 1985) will be described here. 

A cylindrical steel projectile is fired using a smooth bore having a calibre of 12.7 mm, impacting into a tested explosive filled into a cylindrical holder, the impact test vehicle. On the basis of the test vehicle damage caused by the projectile impact, the response of the tested explosive is determined. 

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