Loss of detonational stability in elongated charges

Abstract

This article presents some experimental results for the features of the stability loss of detonation waves in elongated charges of heterogeneous condensed media of various classes. Detonation was initiated by plane-wave shock-wave generators separated from the basic charge by inert barriers and by plane, spherical, and cylindrical charges of initiating explosives in direct contact with the explosive of the basic charge. The influence of the initiation conditions (conditions of overcompression, undercompression, normal detonation) and also the compositions of the basic-charge material on the stability-loss length of the detonation waves was investigated. The character of the stability loss of the detonation wave with a steady front and the distance at which this wave is converted to a wave with a pulsating front depend on the composition of the materials and the properties of their components, and does not depend on the means and conditions of initiation. The results indicate that detonation waves may lose stability at distances exceeding the value required by the stationarity and stability condition.