Cylindrical Explosive Dispersal of Metal Particles: Predictive Calculations in SUpport of Experimental Trials

摘要

The Explosive dispersal of densely-packed metal particles in cylindrical RDX-based charges was studied numerically in support of experimental trials. Simulations were conducted using a reactive multiphase fluid dynamic code. Fundamental studies using a large-scale explosive were performed to show scaling phenomena while avoiding potential initiation and critical diameter effects. Spherical tungsten particles were applied in high metal mass fraction cylindrical and spherical charges in two configurations: a particle matrix uniformly embedded in a solid explosive versus an annular shell of particles surrounding a high-explosive core. The effect of particle number density was investigated by varying the nominal particle diameter from 27 to 120 microns while maintaining a constant metal mass fraction. Results were compared with steel particles to evaluate the influence of material density dispersal. Preliminary laboratory-scale simulations were performed using the anticipated experimental configuration for the High Explosives R&D facility at Eglin AFB trials. The effect of particle size and density were investigated, and information to assist in the experiments was obtained. Results were consistent with the fundamental study involving the large-scale explosives, particularly the shape of the cylindrical dispersed dense particle slug, and the relative performance of the large and small particles.