New X-ray based characterization technique for aluminized explosives and effect of aluminum proportion on velocity of detonation

Abstract

Explosive samples of aluminized compositions based on RDX/HMX-TNT have been investigated using digital radiography comprising a flat panel detector and an ultra-fine focus X-ray tube. Melt-cast aluminized compositions have been designed and constructed into cylindrical charges with a diameter ∼50 mm and height ∼150 mm. These charges have been evaluated for velocity of detonation using ionization pin method. Projection radiography has been used to gain information about the microstructure of solidified explosive compositions using optimized system parameters. The resolution of the image has been investigated using a duplex wire type image quality indicator having thirteen wire pairs. Within the explosive samples, the patches of aluminum have been seen evenly dispersed. The size of these patches of aluminium grows with increase in aluminium proportion at the expense of HMX. The maximum VOD value has been observed for the composition with highest HMX content. Value of VOD is found to decrease by ∼4 % if HMX is replaced by RDX, keeping TNT proportion at 30 %. VOD values are found to decrease with increase in proportion of aluminium at the cost of HMX.