Mary M. Sandstrom

Laser synchronization of a thermal explosion

The authors describe a method by which prompt ignition of thermal explosions is achieved. A convergent heating geometry is applied to a solid cylindrical explosive generating spatial temperature gradients which define a thermal ignition volume. A laser pulse is introduced via an optical fiber to apply a nonshock temperature perturbation in this volume seconds prior the normal ignition time. Explosion occurs hundreds of microseconds subsequent to this perturbation. They show that the subsequent explosive response is identical to that of a normal thermal explosion. This synchronization method enables fast radiographic imaging of nonlinear thermal explosion.

Fast Internal Temperature Measurements in PBX9501 Thermal Explosions

We have made spatially and temporally resolved temperature measurements internal to a thermal explosion in PBX9501, which is a plastic bonded explosive composed of 95% HMX and 2.5% estane mixed with 2.5% nitroplasticizer (BDNPA/F). In order to study the evolution of ignition in a thermally treated piece of explosive, we have pushed the time resolution of several different temperature diagnostics. In this paper, we will discuss the details of the time response of these diagnostics including temperature uncertainties. The temperature measurements are made both by thermocouples with corrections applied to compensate for the thermocouple response time and with optical pyrometry. An additional goal of adding high energy radiography diagnostics to future experiments has motivated an effort to synchronize thermal explosions to an external clock. In this paper, I discuss our current capabilities for controlling and measuring the development of an ignition within a piece of heated PBX9501.

High pressure-temperature polymorphism of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene

1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7) is a low sensitivity energetic material with performance comparable to commonly used secondary explosives such as RDX and HMX. At ambient pressure, FOX-7 exhibits complex polymorphism with at least three structurally distinct phases (α, β, and γ). In this study, we have investigated the high pressure-temperature stability of FOX-7 polymorphs using synchrotron mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy. At ambient pressure, our MIR spectra and corresponding differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements confirmed the known α → β (~110 °C) and α → β (~160 °C) structural phase transitions; as well as, indicated an additional transition γ → (~210 °C), with the δ phase being stable up to ~251 °C prior to decomposition. In situ MIR spectra obtained during isobaric heating at 0.9 GPa, revealed a potential α → β transition that could occur as early as 180 °C, while β → β+δ phase transition shifted to ~300 °C with suppression of γ phase. Decomposition was observed slightly above 325 °C at 0.9 GPa.

BURN PROPAGATION IN A PBX 9501 THERMAL EXPLOSION

We have applied proton radiography to study the conversion of solid density to gaseous combustion products subsequent to ignition of a thermal explosion in PBX 9501. We apply a thermal boundary condition to the cylindrical walls of the case, ending with an induction period at 205 C. We then introduce a laser pulse that accelerates the thermal ignition and synchronizes the explosion with the proton accelerator. We then obtain fast, synchronized images of the evolution of density loss with few microsecond resolution during the approximately 100 microsecond duration of the explosion. We present images of the solid explosive during the explosion and discuss measured rates and assumed mechanisms of burning the role of pressure in this internal burning.

PROTON RADIOGRAPHY OF A THERMAL EXPLOSION IN PBX9501

The understanding of thermal explosions and burn propagation lags that of detonations and shock propagation. Diagnostics such as high energy radiography have been used to image shocks, but have been previously precluded from use in thermal explosions due to their stringent timing requirements: shock propagation can be synchronized to an external diagnostic while thermal explosion can not. This issue is solved by following the evolution of the ignition volume in a thermal explosion and using a laser pulse to provide a temperature jump in that central volume during the final thermal runaway leading to ignition. Thermal explosion experiments have been conducted at the Los Alamos Proton Radiography facility and have yielded images of the evolution of ignition, post‐ignition burn propagation, and case failure in a radially confined cylinder of PBX 9501. This paper presents images taken during the hours long quasistatic heating, the final minutes of thermal runaway, and the post ignition burn propagation.

DHS small-scale safety and thermal testing of improvised explosives-comparison of testing performance

One of the first steps in establishing safe handling procedures for explosives is small-scale safety and thermal (SSST) testing. To better understand the response of improvised materials or homemade explosives (HMEs) to SSST testing, 16 HME materials were compared to three standard military explosives in a proficiency-type round robin study among five laboratories-two DoD and three DOE-sponsored by DHS. The testing matrix has been designed to address problems encountered with improvised materials-powder mixtures, liquid suspensions, partially wetted solids, immiscible liquids, and reactive materials. More than 30 issues have been identified that indicate standard test methods may require modification when applied to HMEs to derive accurate sensitivity assessments needed for developing safe handling and storage practices. This paper presents a generalized comparison of the results among the testing participants, comparison of friction results from BAM (German Bundesanstalt fur Materi-alprufung) and ABL (Allegany Ballistics Laboratory) designed testing equipment, and an overview of the statistical results from the RDX (1,3,5-Trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine) standard tested throughout the proficiency test.

Integrated Data Collection Analysis (IDCA) Program: FY2011 Project Descriptions

This document provides brief descriptions of research topics for consideration by the IDCA for potential funding in funding in FY 2011. The topics include the utilization of the results from the Proficiency Test developed during FY 2010 to start populating the small-scale safety and thermal testing (SSST) Testing Compendium and revising results from methods modifications. Other research topics were also developed for FY 2011 from issues that arose in the Proficiency Test.