R. L. Gustavsen

Isentropic loading experiments of a plastic bonded explosive and constituents

The plastic bonded explosive PBX 9501 and its constituents [cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) crystals, nitroplasticized Estane ®5703 and a fine-crystallite HMX laden binder mixture] were subjected to a ramped quasi-isentropic compression load using the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories to determine equation of state and constitutive property data. Various sample thicknesses of these materials were subjected to an identical ramp loading history up to 4.5 GPa over 350 ns and particle velocities were measured using a velocity interferometry technique to assess material response. Upon defining appropriate constitutive relationships for the individual constituents, a topologically disordered model of the composite material was numerically simulated and details of the mesoscale simulation indicate that much of the plastic deformation first occurs locally at the large HMX crystal contacts points and subsequently by the deformation of the interstitial fine-crystallite/binder material.

In-situ magnetic gauging technique used at LANL-method and shock information obtained

Measuring techniques, including magnetic gauges, quartz gauges, manganin gauges, PVDF gauges, velocity interferometry, piezoelectric pins, shorting pins, flash gaps, etc., have been used over the years in shock experiments in condensed phase materials. The use of a particular technique depends on the measured parameter and the sample material properties. This paper concentrates on in-situ magnetic gauging which is particularly useful in high explosive (HE) shock initiation experiments. A short history of this technique will be given but the main discussion will concentrate on the multiple magnetic gauge technique developed at Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL). Vorthman and Wackerle started the technique development in 1980, concentrating on particle velocity and “impulse” gauges so that Lagrange analysis could be used to map the entire reactive field. Over the years, changes to the gauge design, fabrication, and experimental focus have led to the present LANL technique. During the past two years measurement...

Measurements of shock initiation in the tri-amino-tri-nitro-benzene based explosive PBX 9502: Wave forms from embedded gauges and comparison of four different material lots

We have completed a series of ambient temperature (23±2°C) shock initiation experiments on four lots (batches) of the insensitive high explosive PBX 9502. PBX 9502 consists by weight of 95% dry-aminated tri-amino-tri-nitro-benzene (TATB) and 5% of the plastic binder Kel-F 800, a 3∕1 copolymer of chloro-trifluoro-ethylene and vinylidene-fluoride. Two of the four lots were manufactured using the “virgin” process. Both of these lots had few fine TATB particles. One virgin lot was stored the majority of its life (>15yr) as a molding powder and pressed as a 240mm diameter by 130mm thick cylinder. The other virgin lot was stored the majority of its life as a hollow hemispherical pressing. Two lots were manufactured using the “recycle” process and had many fine TATB particles. One recycled lot was stored the majority of its life as a molding powder, while the other was stored as a pressed charge. Shock initiation experiments were performed using precisely characterized planar shocks generated by impacting an exp...

Particle velocity and stress measurements in low density HMX

Magnetic particle velocity gauges and PVDF stress rate gauges have been used to measure the shock response of low density HMX explosive (1.24) g/cm3. In experiments done at LANL, magnetic particle velocity gauges were located on both sides of the explosive. In nearly identical experiments done at SNL, PVDF stress rate gauges were located at the same positions. Using these techniques both particle velocity and stess histories were obtained for a particular experimental condition. Loading and reaction paths were established in the stress‐particle velocity plane for each input condition. This information was used to determine that compacted HMX has an impedance close to that of Kel‐F and also that a global reaction rate of ≊0.13 μs−1 was observed in HMX shocked to about 0.8 GPa. At low input stresses the transmitted wave profiles had long rise times (up to 1 μs) due to the compaction processes.

Detonation wave profiles in HMX based explosives

Detonation wave profiles have been measured in several HMX based plastic bonded explosives including PBX9404, PBX9501, and EDC-37, as well as two HMX powders (coarse and fine) pressed to 65% of crystal density. The powders had 120 and 10 μm average grain sizes, respectively. Planar detonations were produced by impacting the explosive with projectiles launched in a 72-mm bore gas gun. Impactors, impact velocity, and explosive thickness were chosen so that the run distance to detonation was always less than half the explosive thickness. For the high density plastic bonded explosives, particle velocity wave profiles were measured at an explosive/window interface using two VISAR interferometers. PMMA windows with vapor deposited aluminum mirrors were used for all experiments. Wave profiles for the powdered explosives were measured using magnetic particle velocity gauges. Estimates of the reaction zone parameters were obtained from the profiles using Hugoniots of the explosive and window.

Magnetic gauge instrumentation on the LANL gas-driven two-stage gun

The LANL gas-driven two-stage gun was designed and built to do initiation studies on insensitive high explosives as well as equation of state and reaction experiments on other materials. The preferred method of measuring reaction phenomena involves the use of in-situ magnetic particle velocity gauges. In order to accommodate this type of gauging in our two-stage gun, it has a 50-mm-diameter launch tube. We have used magnetic gauging on our 72-mm bore diameter single-stage gun for over 15 years and it has proven a very effective technique for all types of shock wave experiments, including those on high explosives. This technique has now been installed on our gas-driven two-stage gun. We describe the method used, as well as some of the difficulties that arose during the installation. Several magnetic gauge experiments have been completed on plastic materials. Waveforms obtained in some of the experiments will be discussed. Up to 10 in-situ particle velocity measurements can be made in a single experiment. T...

Low pressure shock initiation of porous HMX for two grain size distributions and two densities

Shock initiation measurements have been made on granular HMX (octotetramethylene tetranitrainine) for two particle size distributions and two densities. Samples were pressed to either 65% or 73% of crystal density from fine ({approx} 10 {mu}m grain size) and coarse (broad distribution of grain sizes peaking at {approx} 150 {mu}m) powders. Planar shocks of 0.2--1 GPa were generated by impacting gas gun driven projectiles on plastic targets containing the HMX. Wave profiles were measured at the input and output of the {approx} 3.9 mm thick HMX layer using electromagnetic particle velocity gauges. The initiation behavior for the two particle size distributions was very different. The coarse HMX began initiating at input pressures as low as 0.5 GPa. Transmitted wave profiles showed relatively slow reaction with most of the buildup occurring at the shock front. In contrast, the fine particle HMX did not begin to initiate at pressures below 0.9 GPa. When the fine powder did react, however, it did so much faster than the coarse HMX. These observations are consistent with commonly held ideas about bum rates being correlated to surface area, and initiation thresholds being correlated with the size and temperature of the hot spots created by shock passage. For each size, the higher density pressings were less sensitive than the lower density pressings.

High Pressure Hugoniot and Reaction Rate Measurements in PBX9501

Single‐stage and two‐stage gas gun experiments have been completed to measure the unreacted Hugoniot of PBX9501 high explosive (HE). Two types of experiments were done: 1) PBX9501 was impacted with a higher impedance projectile and the interface particle velocity history was measured using a magnetic gauge glued to the HE front; 2) a PBX9501 disc was mounted in the front of a projectile that impacted a LiF window and velocity interferometers (VISAR) were used to measure the impact interface particle velocity history. Inputs to the PBX9501 ranged from 3 to 15 GPa in these experiments. Particle velocity waveforms show an induction time followed by a particle velocity change (the nature of the change depends on the type of experiment) corresponding to shock‐induced reaction in the PBX9501. The induction part of the waveform provided unreacted Hugoniot information so several new high‐pressure Hugoniot points were generated. These data do not indicate a softening in the unreacted Hugoniot at high pressures; more experiments will be necessary to determine this. By using an estimate for the reaction product EOS, it was possible to estimate the average PBX9501 initial reaction rate for each experiment. The induction time decreases with pressure and the reaction rate increases with pressure.Single‐stage and two‐stage gas gun experiments have been completed to measure the unreacted Hugoniot of PBX9501 high explosive (HE). Two types of experiments were done: 1) PBX9501 was impacted with a higher impedance projectile and the interface particle velocity history was measured using a magnetic gauge glued to the HE front; 2) a PBX9501 disc was mounted in the front of a projectile that impacted a LiF window and velocity interferometers (VISAR) were used to measure the impact interface particle velocity history. Inputs to the PBX9501 ranged from 3 to 15 GPa in these experiments. Particle velocity waveforms show an induction time followed by a particle velocity change (the nature of the change depends on the type of experiment) corresponding to shock‐induced reaction in the PBX9501. The induction part of the waveform provided unreacted Hugoniot information so several new high‐pressure Hugoniot points were generated. These data do not indicate a softening in the unreacted Hugoniot at high pressures; mo...

Shock‐Induced Chemical Reaction in Organic and Silicon Based Liquids

Shock‐induced chemical reactions remain an area in shock physics that needs further investigation, particularly for determining the influence of pressure, temperature, and chemical structure on reactivity. Several studies have been done in the past that indicate dimerization, polymerization, and decomposition take place in different shock‐produced pressure and temperature regimes depending on chemical functionality. We present results obtained from single‐shock experiments in which liquids were studied using embedded multiple magnetic gauges to make in‐situ measurements of the particle velocity profiles at up to ten Lagrangian positions in the liquid. One of the liquids was organic (tert‐butylacetylene) and the other was a closely related silicon‐based material (ethynyltrimethylsilane). Multiple wave structures were measured in each liquid when the input pressure was above a certain threshold. Here, the reactivity of these materials are compared.

Measurement of Carbon Condensates Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering During Detonation of High Explosives

The lack of experimental validation for processes occurring at sub-micron length scales on time scales ranging from nanoseconds to microseconds hinders detonation model development. Particularly, quantification of late-time energy release requires measurement of carbon condensation kinetics behind detonation fronts. A new small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) endstation has been developed for use at The Dynamic Compression Sector to observe carbon condensation during detonation. The endstation and beamline demonstrate unprecedented fidelity; SAXS profiles can be acquired from single x-ray pulses, which in 24-bunch mode are about 80 ps in duration and arrive every 153.4 ns. This paper presents both the current temporal capabilities of this beamline, and the ability to distinguish different carbon condensate morphologies as they form behind detonation fronts. To demonstrate temporal capabilities, three shots acquired during detonation of hexanitrostilbene (HNS) are interleaved to show the evolution of the SAX...