Application of pressure-sensitive paint for explosive blast measurements

Abstract

This study demonstrates the application of fast response pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) to explosively driven blast wave testing. A sprayable polymer ceramic fast response PSP was applied to an aluminium disc before being coated with platinum porphyrin compound as the active luminophore. The disc was then exposed to a blast wave and the response was measured using a high-speed video camera. The PSP measured the transit of the incident shock wave clearly, albeit with a slight response delay following the instantaneous change in pressure. A time domain-based method for improving temporal response, whilst considering both spatial and temporal effects, is described. This study clearly demonstrates that the spatial distribution of a blast wave on a surface may be captured by PSP technology. Integrated parameters such as impulse can correctly be characterised using this method. This technology offers an enhanced and more efficient way of characterising blast.