Book Description

Shock initiation experiments on the explosives Composition B and C-4 were performed to obtain in-situ pressure gauge data for the purpose of determining the Ignition and Growth reactive flow model with proper modeling parameters. A 101 mm diameter 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 versus particle velocity relationship for each of the investigated materials in their respective pressure range. The run-distance-to-detonation points on 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. These experimental data were used to determine Ignition and Growth reactive flow model parameters for these explosives. 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. The Composition B model was then tested on existing short pulse duration, gap test, and projectile impact shock initiation with good results. This Composition B 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.