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The relationship between shock sensitivity and morphology in granular RDX

The relationship between shock sensitivity and morphology in granular RDX
The relationship between shock sensitivity and morphology in granular RDX
It is known that batches of the secondary explosive RDX from different manufacturers show their significant variation in shock sensitivity. No obvious correlation between shock sensitivity and either chemical composition or morphology has previous been identified which explains this. We use a range of techniques to study the microstructure of RDX crystals and the bulk morphology of granular beds in order to assess which hotspot mechanisms tend to be dominant. Crystals were characterized using mercury porosimetry, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and optical microscopy.This range of methods yields quantitative and qualitative data on internal void size and number and surface structure. Shock sensitivity is quantified using small-scale gap tests, and this demonstrates the clear differences in sensitivity between batches from different manufacturers. The samples used are from three manufacturers, produced by both the Woolwich and Bachmann processes, and all have an average particle size of approximately 1200 ?RDXm.
rdx, gap tests, morphology
1733-7178
3-13
Czerski, Helen
8704500e-b00f-41c0-bfa3-b5f08e7e39d6
Proud, William G.
68d9b58f-8d05-4928-a20c-7688a06a0b6b
Field, John E.
59bea502-d7ee-4f6e-a5a1-7da9dd6381f6
Czerski, Helen
8704500e-b00f-41c0-bfa3-b5f08e7e39d6
Proud, William G.
68d9b58f-8d05-4928-a20c-7688a06a0b6b
Field, John E.
59bea502-d7ee-4f6e-a5a1-7da9dd6381f6

Czerski, Helen, Proud, William G. and Field, John E. (2006) The relationship between shock sensitivity and morphology in granular RDX. Central European Journal of Energetic Materials, 3 (3), 3-13.

Record type: Article

Abstract

It is known that batches of the secondary explosive RDX from different manufacturers show their significant variation in shock sensitivity. No obvious correlation between shock sensitivity and either chemical composition or morphology has previous been identified which explains this. We use a range of techniques to study the microstructure of RDX crystals and the bulk morphology of granular beds in order to assess which hotspot mechanisms tend to be dominant. Crystals were characterized using mercury porosimetry, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and optical microscopy.This range of methods yields quantitative and qualitative data on internal void size and number and surface structure. Shock sensitivity is quantified using small-scale gap tests, and this demonstrates the clear differences in sensitivity between batches from different manufacturers. The samples used are from three manufacturers, produced by both the Woolwich and Bachmann processes, and all have an average particle size of approximately 1200 ?RDXm.

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More information

Published date: 2006
Keywords: rdx, gap tests, morphology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 165645
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/165645
ISSN: 1733-7178
PURE UUID: 6189b57c-0f82-40a1-a69d-d216b735053b

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 19 Oct 2010 09:02
Last modified: 10 Dec 2021 18:33

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Contributors

Author: Helen Czerski
Author: William G. Proud
Author: John E. Field

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