Abstract

The growth of explosion has been studied both in powdered RDX, initiated by a bursting bridgewire, and in pressed RDX, initiated by passing current through a column of RDX-graphite mixture incorporated in the charge. In the former case, a reaction wave moves out from the bridgewire at a velocity characteristic of low-order detonation, with a transition to high-order detonation occurring at a reproducible induction distance which depends only weakly on the stored electrical energy. Induction distances from 9.5 mm to 17.5 mm were observed, depending on geometry and loading density. Interactions of two pre-high-order waves were investigated, as well as the ability of such waves to cause detonation in Composition B. In contrast, growth of explosion in the pressed RDX appears to be governed, at least initially, by thermal mechanisms; delays of more than 1 msec have been observed between the discharge of the electrical energy and substantial explosion of the charge.

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