High-Speed Imaging of Polymer-Bonded Explosives under Mechanical Stresses

The impact of mechanical stresses on polymer bonded high explosives, HE, is investigated. High-Speed photography in the visible spectrum, VIS, as well as mid-wave infrared (MWIR) of HE during small diameter drilling and controlled skidding is presented. Controlled drilling into the HE enables recording the size and temperature of shavings under varying feed and speeds. Even at very high drill speeds, the HE phase transition temperature of approx. 180 degree Celsius is rarely exceeded. The MWIR signals radiated are recorded with FLIR's X6901sc High-speed MWIR camera, which uses InSb technology, with a wavelength range from 3.0 to 5.0 µm, and up to 1,004 fps at a resolution of 640 × 512 in the temperature range of interest. High-speed recording in the visible is obtained utilizing Phantom's VEO710s high-speed camera at a higher frame rate of 7,400 fps at a resolution of 1280 × 800 in the VIS. Observing the HE-grit interaction in the MWIR poses a great challenge, for IR is blocked by many glasses.