Enhancement of detonation properties by electric energy input

Abstract

The possibility of enhancing detonation properties by electric energy input was experimentally investigated. A piece of 2 mm thick sheet explosive was placed between two copper electrodes, and the electric energy, 5 kJ, was supplied to the detonating explosive from a capacitor bank. Energy deposited in the detonating explosive was estimated to be 3.2∼4.3 kJ. The detonation velocity was increased by 2.7∼3.2% on average and 8.2∼10.4% locally. This increase occurred with a time lag of 10∼18 μs after the electric energy input had started. It was speculated that the electric energy was supplied to the reaction zone in the form of heat, and that it took a short while for the heat energy to be transferred to the detonation front.