Behavior of Low-Velocity Detonation in Stoichiometric Mixture of Ammonium Perchlorate and Polymethyl Methacrylate

Abstract

Low-velocity detonation in mixtures of ammonium perchlorate and fuel additives in high relative density charges is an interesting subject for the scientific research, with potential for practical applications in pulse nozzle and projective setups. However, information about the process is scanty and mainly concerns the measurements of the wave propagation velocities. This paper describes the results of a research aimed at obtaining the data base on properties and behavior of low-velocity detonation (LVD) in pressed charges of the mixture of ammonium perchlorate and 15% polymethyl methacrylate. The firings have been fulfilled at the pulse laboratory projectile setup and the strong steel confinements equipped with the nozzle block or a projectile with the process initiated by a booster produced from RDX or the TNT/RDX 30/70 mixture. The thrust impulse, trajectory of the projectile, pressure, and LVD wave front trajectory have been recorded. According to the measurement results, the muzzle velocity, the pressure at the projectile, and the burning completeness of the mixture have been calculated. In the experiments, the relative charge density has varied from 0.85 to 0.96, the ammonium perchlorate particle size has been from 20 to 200 μm, and the charge length and the projectile mass have varied as well. The experiments were supplemented with numerical simulation. Emphasis was lain on the interaction of a low-velocity detonation wave with end rarefaction waves. The conditions under which the high completeness of chemical conversion of the mixture can be reached with the acceptable level of the maximum pressure (1–1.5 GPa) are considered.