Stability of Pyrotechnic Composition in Flame Detonator Exposed to Severe Thermal Stimulus

doi:10.1007/s40242-015-5083-5

Abstract

Abstract:

The stability of pyrotechnic composition used in flame detonator was studied at severe temperatures (-70-130℃) for 5 d. For single N-LTNR(normal lead styphnate), camera was used to observe the shape and colour of N-LTNR in the DSC(differential scanning calorimetry) furnace during continuous heating and cooling processes. Based on the DSC-TGA(thermogravimetric analysis) results, it can be seen that when the temperature exceeded 110℃, N-LTNR lost its crystal water, making the energetic material become darker in colour, smaller in dimension, lager in volume and lighter in weight(3.416%); when the temperature was below -40℃, the phenomenon of sample broking, jumping and cracking happened. For the N-LTNR and Pb(N₃)₂(lead azide) double layers, the loss of N-LTNR's crystal water at the temperature higher than 110℃ caused the hydrolysis reaction of Pb(N₃)₂, and the purity of Pb(N₃)₂ measured after the temperature cycling decreased from 98.6% to 95.26%. For the flame detonator, the height and diameter of the flame detonator were measured and no apparent changes of them were found. The p-t(pressure-time) test shows that the peak pressure was decreased by 3.9%. Therefore, the operating temperature of this flame detonator should be limited to -40-110℃.

Key words: Normal lead styphnate, Lead azide, Flame detonator, Stability

CHENG Jun, YAN Nan, YE Yaokun, ZHENG Fei. Stability of Pyrotechnic Composition in Flame Detonator Exposed to Severe Thermal Stimulus[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2015, 31(5): 814-819.

References

[1] Army Regulation 70-38, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation of Material for Extreme Climatic Conditions, Dept. Army, USA, 1979, 164
[2] AMCP 706-17, Engineering Design Handbook, Explosive Trains, Part One, Chapter 4, Environmental Response, Headquarters US Army Materiel Command, Washington, DC, 1974, 76
[3] Dilhan D., 31st International Pyrotechnics Seminar, Laser Ignition Systems for Space Applications, Fort-Collins(CO), July, 2004
[4] Fedoroff B. T., Sheffield O. E., Kaye S. M., Encyclopedia of Explosive and Related Items, Picatinny Arsenal Dover, New Jersey, 1960, (1), A42
[5] Zhang J. G., Zhang T. L., Pyrotechnics, 1999, 1(2), 35
[6] Urbansky T., Chemistry and Technology of Explosives, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1965, 213
[7] AMCP 706-177, Engineering Design Handbook, Explosives Series, Property of Explosives of Military Interest, Headquarters US Army Materiel Command, Washington, DC, 1967, 95
[8] Lao Y. L., Chemistry and Technology of Explosives, Beijing Institute of Technology Press, Beijing, 1997,101
[9] Miles F. D., JCS, 1931, 1(2), 2541
[10] Guo J. J., Wang J. B., Hua X. X., Li Z. R., Tan N. X., Li X. Y., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2014, 30(3), 480
[11] Kamlet M. J., Chemistry of Detonations, Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Silver Spring, 1966, 65
[12] Ilyushin M. A., Tselinsky I. V., Shugalei I. V., Central European Journal of Energetic Materials, 2012, 9(4), 293
[13] Hailes H. R., Trans. Faraday Soc., 1933, 29(10), 544
[14] Stettbacher A., Nitrocellulose, 1937, 8(1), 21
[15] Zingaro R. A., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1954, 76(3), 816
[16] Cai Z. Q., Chinese Journal of Explosives & Propellants, 1999, 1(2), 103
[17] Lao Y. L., Sheng D. L., The Science of Initiating Explosives and Relative Composition, Beijing Institute of Technology Press, Beijing, 2011, 76
[18] Ni Z. M., Xia S. J., Wang L. G., Xing F. F., Pan G. X., Hu J., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2007, 23(7), 21
[19] GJB5383, Test Methods of Sensitivity and Stability for Pyrotechnic-Part 11:Test for Stability and Compatibility-DTA and DSC Method, 2005, 45
[20] NATO STANAG 4147, Chemical Compatibility of Ammunition Components with Explosives and Propellants, Non-Nuclear Applications, USA, 1992, 33
[21] ASTM E537-86, Standard Test Method for Assessing the Thermal Stability of Chemicals by Methods of Differential Thermal Analysis, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, USA, 1986, 94
[22] Flanagan T. B., Nature, 1958, 181(1), 42
[23] Yang R., Thakere P., Yang V., Combustion, Explosion and Shock Waves, 2005, 41(6), 657
[24] GJB737.1, Method of Loading Materials for Initiating Explosive Device Test, 1989, 51
[25] Tao C. H., Liu G. Y., En Y. F., Failure Analysis Technical Manual of Military Products, National Defense Industry Press, Beijing, 2009, 142
[26] GJB772A, Explosive Test Method, 1997, 85
[27] Yan N., Failure Analysis and Prevention, 2006, 1(1), 10
[28] MIL-STD-1751, Safety and Performance Tests for Qualification of Explosives, USA, 1982, 344
[29] Ou Y. X., Qin B. S., Chemistry and Technology of Explosives, National Defense Industry Press, Beijing, 1976, 67
[30] Yu N., Zhou H., Hao Y., Chinese Physics B, 2009, 26(1), 1089
[31] Tzuk Y., Ben P. T., Applied Physics B:Laser and Optics, 1994, 59(1), 45