Brian Bartram

Shock initiation of the tri-amino-tri-nitro-benzene based explosive PBX 9502 cooled to −55 °C

We report a series of shock initiation experiments on PBX 9502 cooled to −55 °C. PBX 9502 consists of 95% dry aminated tri-amino-tri-nitro-benzene (TATB) and 5% poly-chloro-trifluoro-ethylene5 (Kel-F 800) binder. PBX 9502 samples were shock initiated by projectile impact from a two stage gas gun. Buildup to detonation was measured with 10 or more particle velocity gauges embedded at different depths in the sample. Three shock wave trackers measured the position of the shock front with time. Particle velocity vs. time wave-profiles and coordinates for onset of detonation were obtained as a function of the impact stress or pressure. PBX 9502 sample temperatures were monitored using type-E thermocouples, two inside the sample and two on the sample surface. Additional thermocouples were mounted on other parts of the cooling apparatus. Wave profiles from embedded gauges are qualitatively similar to those observed at 23 °C. However, at −55 °C, PBX 9502 is much less sensitive than at 23 °C. For example, at an inpact stress of 15.4 GPa, the distance to detonation at −55 °C is 7.8 mm. At 23 °C, the distance is 4.3 mm.

One-dimensional plate impact experiments on the cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) based explosive EDC32

Eight one-dimensional plate impact experiments have been performed to study both the Shock to Detonation Transition and Hugoniot state in the cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) based explosive EDC32. The experiments covered shock pressures ranging from 0.59 to 7.5 GPa with sustained shocks, double shocks, and short pulse shocks. Experiments were instrumented with embedded magnetic particle velocity gauges. Results include; (1) wave profiles of particle velocity vs. time vs. depth in the explosive, (2) time-distance coordinates for onset of detonation vs. initial shock pressure (aka the Pop-plot), (3) a reactants Hugoniot, and (4) measurement of the Hugoniot Elastic Limit of 0.22.GPa.

An equation of state for polymethylpentene (TPX) including multi-shock response

The equation of state (EOS) of polymethylpentene (TPX) is examined through both single shock Hugoniot data as well as more recent multi-shock compression and release experiments. Results from the recent multi-shock experiments on LANLs two-stage gas gun will be presented. A simple conservative Lagrangian numerical scheme utilizing total variation diminishing interpolation and an approximate Riemann solver will be presented as well as the methodology of calibration. It is shown that a simple Mie-Gruneisen EOS based on a Keane fitting form for the isentrope can replicate both the single shock and multi-shock experiments.

Plasma transferred arc deposition of beryllium

The exceptional properties of beryllium (Be), including low density and high elastic modulus, make it the material of choice in many defense and aerospace applications. However, health hazards associated with Be material handling limit the applications that are suited for its use. Innovative solutions that enable continued use of Be in critical applications while addressing worker health concerns are highly desirable. Plasma transferred arc solid free-form fabrication is being evaluated as a Be fabrication technique for civilian and military space-based components. Initial experiments producing Be deposits are reported here. Deposit shape, microstructure, and mechanical properties are reported.

Shock initiation of the TATB-based explosive PBX-9502 heated to ∼ 76°C

We present gas-gun driven plate impact shock initiation experiments on the explosive PBX 9502 (95 weight percent triaminotrinitrobenzene, 5 weight percent Kel-F 800 binder) heated to ∼ 76°C. PBX 9502 samples were heated by flowing hot air through a sample mounting plate and surrounding coil. Temperatures were monitored using embedded and surface mounted type-E thermocouples. The shock to detonation transition was recorded using embedded electromagnetic particle velocity gauges. Results show increased shock sensitivity; time and distance to detonation onset vs. initial shock pressure are shorter than when the sample is initially at ambient temperature. Our results are consistent with those reported by Dallman and Wackerle: the “Pop-plot,” or distance to detonation, xD, vs. impact pressure, P, is log10(xD) = 3.41 − 2.47 log10(P).

Shock initiation sensitivity and Hugoniot-based equation of state of Composition B obtained using in situ electromagnetic gauging

A series of gas gun-driven plate impact experiments were performed on vacuum melt-cast Composition B to obtain new Hugoniot states and shock sensitivity (run-distance-to-detonation) information. The Comp B (ρ0 = 1.713 g/cm3) consisted of 59.5% RDX, 39.5% TNT, and 1% wax, with ~ 6.5% HMX in the RDX. The measured Hugoniot states were found to be consistent with earlier reports, with the compressibility on the shock adiabat softer than that of a 63% RDX material reported by Marsh.[4] The shock sensitivity was found to be more sensitive (shorter run distance to detonation at a given shock input condition) than earlier reports for Comp B-3 and a lower density (1.68-1.69 g/cm3) Comp B formulation. The reactive flow during the shock-to-detonation transition was marked by heterogeneous, hot spot-driven growth both in and behind the leading shock front.

DETONATION WAVE PROFILES MEASURED IN PLASTIC BONDED EXPLOSIVES USING 1550 nm PHOTON DOPPLER VELOCIMETRY

We present detonation wave profiles measured in two TATB based explosives and two HMX based explosives. Profiles were measured at the interface of the explosive and a Lithium‐Fluoride (LiF) window using 1550 nm Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). Planar detonations were produced by impacting the explosive with a projectile launched in a gas‐gun. The impact state was changed from shot to shot in order to produce varied distances to detonation. In this way, we tuned the support of the Taylor wave following the Chapman‐Jouget (CJ) or sonic state. Profiles from experiments with different support should be the same between the Von‐Neumann (VN) spike and CJ state and different thereafter. Comparison of profiles with differing support, therefore, allows us to estimate reaction zone lengths. For the TATB based explosive, a reaction zone length of ≈3.9 mm, 500 ns was measured in EDC‐35, and a reaction zone length of ≈6.3 mm, 800 ns was measured in PBX 9502 pre‐cooled to −55° C. The respective VN spike state was 2.25...

Negative Transferred Arc Cleaning: A Method for Roughening and Removing Surface Contamination from Beryllium and Other Metallic Surfaces

Abstract TA cleaning has been investigated for preparing the surface of beryllium plasma facing components (PFC’s) inside of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) prior to depositing beryllium by plasma spraying. Plasma spraying of beryllium was evaluated during the ITER Engineering Design Activity (EDA) for in-situ repair and initial fabrication of the beryllium first wall armor. Results have shown that surface roughening of beryllium, during the TA cleaning process, can result in bond strengths greater than 100 MPa between beryllium surfaces and plasma sprayed beryllium. In addition, the TA cleaning process was shown to be an effective method for removing contaminate layers of carbon and tungsten from the surface of beryllium. Investigations have been performed to characterize the different arc-types that occur during the TA cleaning process (Type I, II and III arcs) and the effectiveness of the TA cleaning process for potentially removing co-deposited layers of carbon and deuterium from the surface of beryllium, stainless steel and tungsten.

A REMOTE LIQUID TARGET LOADING SYSTEM FOR A TWO‐STAGE GAS GUN

A Remote Liquid Loading System (RLLS) was designed and tested for the application of loading high‐hazard liquid materials into instrumented target cells for gas gun‐driven plate impact experiments. These high hazard liquids tend to react with confining materials in a short period of time, degrading target assemblies and potentially building up pressure through the evolution of gas in the reactions. Therefore, the ability to load a gas gun target immediately prior to gun firing provides the most stable and reliable target fielding approach. We present the design and evaluation of an RLLS built for the LANL two‐stage gas gun. The system has been used successfully to interrogate the shock initiation behavior of ∼98 wt% percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solutions, using embedded electromagnetic gauges for measurement of shock wave profiles in‐situ.

Shock, release and reshock of PBX 9502: Experiments and modeling

We examine shock, release and reshock into the tri-amino-tri-nitro-benzene (TATB) based explosive PBX 9502 (95% TATB, 5% Kel-F 800) from both an experimental and modeling point of view. The experiments are performed on the 2-stage light gas gun at Los Alamos National Laboratory and are composed of a multi-layered impactor impinging on PBX 9502 backed by a polymethylmethacrylate window. The objective is to initially shock the PBX 9502 in the 7 GPa range (too weak to start significant reaction), then allow a rarefaction fan to release the material to a lower pressure/temperature state. Following this release, a strong second shock will recompress the PBX. If the rarefaction fan releases the PBX to a very low pressure, the ensuing second shock can increase the entropy and temperature substantially more than in previous double-shock experiments without an intermediate release. Predictions from a variety of reactive burn models (AWSD, CREST, Augmented Ignition and Growth, SURF) demonstrate significantly different behaviors and thus the experiments are an excellent validation test of the models, and may suggest improvements for subsequent modeling efforts.