Effect of initial particle size on the DDT of pressed solid explosives

Abstract

AbstractThe effect of the initial particle size on the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) of pressed, confined explosives has been studied. The explosives examined were ground tetryl, RDX, picric acid, waxed RDX, and waxed HMX. The ground tetryl was studied over the range of 61%−90% theoretical maximum density (TMD); most of the rest of the comparisons were made at 70% TMD. It was found that the initial particle size (or particle size distribution) δ affected the predetonation column length ℓ, the relative time to detonation, and even the apparent mechanism of DDT. Available data in the literature in conjunction with the present results indicate that the curves ℓ versus %TMD at constant δ, and ℓ versus δ at constant %TMD both exhibit a minimum.