A comparison of the dynamic mechanical properties of explosive simulants prepared using traditional and resonant acoustic mixing

摘要

Resonant acoustic mixing (RAM) is a technique that is increasingly used in the energetics community to mix materials of widely varying properties. In general, the technique is a batch process, where the mixer propagates acoustic energy through a baseplate into a sealed, clamped sample vessel. In comparison to the conventional planetary mixing there are no intrusive mechanical parts. In addition, the sample is intimately mixed after a short duration of time. Questions exist about how high intensity mixing affects the overall material properties and ageing characteristics. This paper is part of a larger research project, investigating the utility of resonant acoustic mixing for energetic materials and the content builds on a paper given at NTREM 2017. This study reports the mechanical properties of inert compositions using HTPB, DOS and AO as the binder, and melamine and barium sulphate as the filler system. There are several solid loading levels: 66%wt, 73%wt and 80%wt.