Mechanism of and Particle Size Effects on Shock Sensitivity of Heterogeneous Pressed Explosives: Preliminary Assessment of Binderless RDX in Fuze Trains

摘要

Shock initiation of pressed heterogeneous explosives has been reviewed. The key processes of ignition and buildup and their relative importance under sustained and short duration shocks are described. Particle size effects on shock sensitivity are shown to depend on density and shock duration. M50% values from gap tests often increase as particle size decreases. Below a critical particle size M50% then decreases, as predicted from theoretical modelling. This trend was observed here for RDX. Assessment of fine RDX for fuze trains indicated its potential suitability.