How fast is c4 explosive

The compatibility of PETN with the polymeric matrix was studied by vacuum stability test. Sensitivities to impact and friction were measured. The detonation velocity was measured experimentally and the detonation characteristics were calculated by EXPLO5 thermodynamic code. It was concluded that PEX-1 has compatible ingredients, it has the highest detonation velocity of all the studied plastic explosives, and its sensitivity is in the same level of the studied plastic explosives except Semtex 1A.

Development of plastic explosives is a topic of interest for our team. Several countries all over the world produce plastic explosives containing different explosive fillers bonded by different polymeric matrices.

Many researches have been reported about the development of plastic explosives including the preparation, sensitivity, and detonation characteristics of plastic explosives based on several interesting nitramines [ 1 — 7 ]. The effect of plasticizers on the thermal behaviour of the plastic explosives has been studied [ 8 ].

The thermal stability and decomposition kinetics of selected nitramines bonded by different polymeric matrices have been studied using different techniques [ 9 — 15 ] and the low temperature thermolytic behaviour has been evaluated by vacuum stability test [ 16 , 17 ]. They contain pentaerythritol tetranitrate PETN as explosive filler bonded by nonexplosive plasticizer; they are used in demolition work and underwater blasting operations [ 18 ].

Formex P1 is a French plastic explosive which contains PETN bonded by styrene butadiene rubber and plasticized by oily material [ 9 , 16 ]. The aim of this work is to discuss the preparation and characterization of our new plastic explosive named EPX The crystal morphology, sensitivity, and detonation velocity of the prepared EPX-1 were studied and discussed. Heat of combustion and elemental analysis of the sample were determined in order to calculate the heat of formation of EPX Dibutyl phthalate is a product of Jai Enterprises, Delhi, India.

Nonenergetic thermoplastic binder unpublished details was prepared. The preparation process is based on direct mixing of PETN with a polymeric matrix binder swelled by dibutyl phthalate. In order to measure the detonation velocity, cylinders of plastic explosives were prepared in the form of cylinders.

Sample of PETN crystals and a thin layer of the prepared plastic explosive were tested. Figure 1 a showed that PETN had different crystal sizes where the crystals are not regular and have edges and corners.

The surface is not smooth and there are cracks on the crystal surface. As a result, controlling of the crystal shapes is difficult. Figure 2 a gave indication that PETN crystals were coated completely by the polymeric matrix. There are no crystals appearing outside the polymeric matrix. In order to confirm this result, Figure 2 b showed a magnified resolution of EPX-1 where the surfaces of the crystals are completely coated.

These results confirmed that the new polymeric matrix was able to bond the crystals and sufficiently coat their surfaces.

The results of the elemental analysis were recalculated to match the N content to the individual explosive and reported in Table 1. The summary formula calculated in this way was used as if it was individual explosive and it was used in order to calculate the detonation parameters of EPX The sample was prepared and placed in a bomb filled with excess of oxygen [ 20 ] where the data obtained from the measurements was reported in Table 1.

This data was used for calculation of the heat of formation of the samples which was used for the calculation of the detonation parameters. The samples in evacuated glass test tubes were placed into the heating block and heated to the desired temperature. Pressure transducers continuously estimated the pressure increase in the glass tubes. The results were in the form of time dependence of the gas pressure evolved per one gram of sample and the volume of gas produced per gram of sample was recorded.

The result obtained for PETN was 0. EPX-1 gave volume of gas equal to 0. The sum of the gas evolved by PETN and the polymeric matrix separately was 0. Probit analysis [ 24 ] was used to determine the probability levels for initiation. The sensitivity obtained was expressed as the drop energy versus percentage of initiation. A BAM friction test apparatus was used to determine the sensitivity to friction using the standard test conditions [ 23 ].

The sensitivity to friction was determined by spreading about 0. Different loads were used to change the normal force between the porcelain pistil and the plate. Sample initiation was observed through sound and smoke appearance or by the characteristic smell of the decomposition products. A comparison between the results of impact and friction sensitivities is presented in Figure 3.

All the studied plastic explosives are based on PETN and the comparison proved that all the polymeric matrices had a great effect on decreasing the impact and friction sensitivities of PETN. The results prove that the used polymeric matrices have nearly the same effect on decreasing the friction sensitivity of PETN. Regarding the impact sensitivity, all the studied plastic explosives except Semtex 1A have impact energy of initiation which lies between EPX-1 lies on the same sensitivity level of the entire studied explosives except Semtex 1A which has lower impact sensitivity than the rest of the studied plastic explosives.

Three optical sensors were placed in each charge, with the first sensor being placed at a distance of mm from the surface containing the detonator. Charges were set off using detonator number 8. Atkinson , Nathaniel Beagley. Analytical Chemistry , 88 7 , Major , Menelaos K. Poutous , Kenneth J. Ewing , Kevin F. Dunnill , Jasbinder S. Sanghera , and Ishwar D.

Analytical Chemistry , 87 17 , Hendrickson , and Alan G. High Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry , 84 2 , Brettell , J. Butler , J. Forensic Science. Analytical Chemistry , 83 12 , Forbes , Joe Bennett , Alex Bulk. Hussein , Sara M. International Journal of Chemical Engineering , , Sensors , 19 1 , Forbes , Edward Sisco. Recent advances in ambient mass spectrometry of trace explosives. The Analyst , 9 , Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry , 56 , Milam , Christopher A.

Forensic Chemistry , 6 , Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry , 21 , Incendiary - A compound, metal or mixture capable of producing intense heat. Initiator - The part of an explosive train which starts the reaction. Low Explosive - Generally a chemical compound or mixture that can deflagrate without the addition of atmospheric oxygen.

Main Charge - The main or final explosive in an explosive train. Munitions - Any and all military explosives. Oxidizer - A chemical compound that supplies the oxygen in a chemical reaction. PETN - Pentaerythritoltetranitrate, a high explosive used in many applications. Primer cap - A small metal device containing an impact-sensitive primary high explosive commonly found in ammunition or used in initiators.

Report - A loud sound produced by an explosion. Safety Fuse - A water-proof coated, thread-wrapped cord filled with black powder designed to be used to initiate a non-electric blasting cap. Secondary High Explosive - A less-sensitive high explosive initiated by another explosive. Shaped Charge - An explosive device which is designed to direct or focus explosive energy into a narrow jet.

The created plasma has a synergistic effect increasing the heat and energy on the target area. Single Base - A smokeless powder which contains nitrocellulose but does not contain nitroglycerine or nitroguanidine. Smokeless Powder - A low explosive used in ammunition as a propellant, which can be single-, double-, or triple-based TNT - Trinitrotoluene, a commonly used explosive that is especially useful because of its low risk for accidental detonation.