Electric spark and esd sensitivity of reactive solids (primary or secondary explosive, propellant, pyrotechnics) part one: Experimental results and reflection factors for sensitivity test optimization

✍ Scribed by Michel Roux; Max Auzanneau; Claude Brassy

• Book ID: 105355865
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1993
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 653 KB
• Volume: 18
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0721-3115
• DOI: 10.1002/prep.19930180603

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

An experimental study shows that spark energy transfer mechanisms are different for the explosive alone (HMX) and for the explosive containing 1% of graphite. This study is completed by literature data and underlines the need for parametric studies by systematically varying the electrodes gap as well as the spark duration to determine the true minimum value of the ignition energy. Grain size and shape are very important factors. The influence of the electrode shape is also discussed, as well as the environmental conditions. These data allow us to determine the conditions for testing the electric spark sensitivity of solids. The tests are then performed at a small scale.

Moreover, for ionic solids or substances made of an electrically insulating matrix containing conductive inclusions, particular phenomena appear when they are submitted to electric fields for a certain time. These phenomena justify the development of specific tests to determine the capacitive discharge sensitivity.