Susan sensitivity test

Susan Sensitivity Test. See in Vol 4, D334-L to D335-R for earlier treatment on this subject. The following update information is taken from B.M. Dobratz, Properties of Chemical Explosives and Explosive Simulants , UCRL-51319, Rev 1, Lawrence Livermore Lab, Univ of Calif (1974), 9-3 to 9-21 ... 

The Susan Sensitivity Test (Ref 7) is a projectile impact test with the projectile shown in Fig 1. The wt of expl in the projectile head is about 1 lb (0.45 kg). The target is armor-plate steel. The results of the tests are expressed in... 

The theory and practice of impact sensitivity testing are discussed in detail in Vol 7,135-R ff (see also Vol 4, D392). Several types of equipment have been used on an empirical basis, and the results have often been difficult to reproduce. The qualitative conclusion can be drawn, however, that TNT is less sensitive to impact than all other common expls except Explosive D (ammonium picrate), and TATB. A similar conclusion can be drawn from data from other types of tests, such as the Susan Test, and from a comparison of critical initiation energies (Ref 141)... 

The object of the Susan Test is to compare the relative sensitivity of propints and expls under conditions of impact. It is performed by impacting a confined specimen at high velocities onto a steel plate. The driver is a 3-inch gun which imparts velocities ranging from 30 to 40m/s to the projectile. The results in terms of the kinetic energy of the projectile required for initiation are only of empirical value for reasons stated above (Ref 18, pp 2—20)... 

For impact sensitivity of confined explosive charges thrown against a steel target -> Susan Test. 

Also propellant charges for rockets and guns have also been developed by compounding solid explosives such as nitramines (e.g. -> Cy-clonite) with plastics. Plastic explosives and plastic propellants are of interest, if low thermal and impact sensitivity is needed (- LOVA -> Armor Plate Impact Test -> Friction Sensitivity -> Heat Sensitivity - Impact Sensitivity -> Projectile Impact Sensitifity - Susan Test). 

Spark Sensitivity, LASL Test, 0.010 Susan Test, at over 1. Okm/sec impact velocity... 

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