Abstract: Electromagnetic measurements of particle velocity histories at the interface between the loose packed explosive and PMMA window were carried out. Coarse grained (several hundreds µm) RDX, HMX and PETN were tested. In order to register both the average dynamics and the expected velocity pulsations, small gauges were used with the working arm of about 1 mm, i.e., not much larger than the explosive grain size. In a majority of shots distinct velocity peaks were observed well above the Chapman – Jouguet level, which was odd given the highly heterogeneous structure of the materials. However, in some experiments the chemical peak could not be defined against the strong flow fluctuations, which may indicate a non-classical convective propagation mechanism. An analysis of the gauge response to non-uniform flow field justified the reality of these fluctuations. The results, along with our previous study1 lead to the concept of the shock and convective mechanisms acting in parallel. Each mechanism may prevail at different parts of the detonation wave front.

Cite: Ershov A.P. , Rubtsov I.A. , Pruuel E.R.
Detonation of Highly Porous Explosives
16th International Detonation Symposium 15-20 Jul 2018