Microstructural Origins of Hot Spots in RDX Explosive and a Reference Inert Material

The crystalline perfection in production-grade RDX material has been investigated using Berg-Barrett and Laue x-ray diffraction techniques. Particularly noteworthy is the observation by x-ray topography that pores within the crystals appear to be surrounded by a strain-free matrix. Fracto-emission e...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Elban, W L, Hoffsommer, J C, Coffey, C S, Yoo, K C, Rosemeier, R G
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE
Ammunition and Explosives
ANISOTROPY
CRACKING(FRACTURING)
Crystallography
CRYSTALS
DECOMPOSITION
DROP TESTS
ELECTRON EMISSION
FLUORIDES
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HARDNESS
IMPACT TESTS
INERT MATERIALS
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
Mechanics
MICROSTRUCTURE
PE61153N
PLASTIC DEFORMATION
RDX
SINGLE CRYSTALS
STRAIN(MECHANICS)
TEST METHODS
TOPOGRAPHY
WUNR659797
WUNR659798
X RAY DIFFRACTION
X RAYS
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The crystalline perfection in production-grade RDX material has been investigated using Berg-Barrett and Laue x-ray diffraction techniques. Particularly noteworthy is the observation by x-ray topography that pores within the crystals appear to be surrounded by a strain-free matrix. Fracto-emission experiments on production-grade and NSWC laboratory-grown RDX were performed in collaboration with Washington State University researchers. The purpose was to study the early stages of decomposition resulting from fracture. Different electron emission behaviors were observed and attributed to the nature of the fracture that occurred. Gas chromatographic analyses were performed on production-grade RDX samples that had been impact loaded to investigate whether any solid state decomposition had occurred. The trinitroso analog of RDX (called R-salt) was identified in impacted RDX residue. Hardness testing has been used to investigate the local deformation of MgF2 crystals (selected as a reference inert material). A considerable anistropy in hardness was found; the extent of the strain fields differed appreciably with crystal orientation. Fractoemission experiments were also performed on MgF2 and revealed a strong crystallographic dependence for electron emission. Nh4C104 exhibited a substantial hardness anisotropy in an initial study that was conducted.