Shock initiation of composition B and C-4 explosives: Experiments and modeling

Abstract

Shock initiation experiments with composition B and C-4 HE were performed to obtain in situ pressure gauge data for the purpose of providing the ignition and growth reactive flow model with proper modeling parameters. A 100-mm-bore propellant-driven gas gun was utilized to initiate the explosive charges containing manganin piezoresistive pressure gauge packages embedded in the explosive sample. Experimental data provided new information on the shock velocity-particle velocity relationship for each of the investigated material in their respective pressure range. The run-to-detonation distance points in the pop plot for these experiments showed agreement with previously published data, and ignition and growth modeling calculations resulted in a good fit to the experimental data. Identical ignition and growth reaction rate parameters were used for C-4 and composition B, and the composition B model also included a third reaction rate to simulate the completion of reaction by the TNT component. This model can be applied to shock initiation scenarios that have not or cannot be tested experimentally with a high level of confidence in its predictions.