Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports Volume 39 April 6, 2001

Contract(s)/Grant(s): W-7405-eng-48; No Copyright; Avail: CPIA, 10630 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Suite 202, Columbia, MD
21044-3200 HC
A better understanding of thermal cook-off is important for safe handling and storing explosive devices. A number of safety
issues exist about what occurs when a cased explosive thermally cooks off. For example, violence of the events as a function of
confinement are important for predictions of collateral damage. This paper demonstrates how adjacent materials can be gauged
to measure the resulting pressure wave and how this wave propagates in this adjacent material. The output pulse from the thermal
cook-off explosive containing fixture is of obvious interest for assessing many scenarios.
Author
Pressure Measurement; Safety; Wave Propagation; Explosive Devices; Detonation Waves
20010025034 Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA USA
Thermal Explosion Violence of HMX-Based Explosives: Effect of Composition, Confinement and Phase Transition Using
the Scaled Thermal Explosive Experiment
Maienschein, J. L., Lawrence Livermore National Lab., USA; Wardell, J. F., Lawrence Livermore National Lab., USA; Reaugh,
J. E., Lawrence Livermore National Lab., USA; JANNAF 19th Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee Meeting; November
2000; Volume 1, pp. 83-93; In English; See also 20010025025
Contract(s)/Grant(s): W-7405-eng-48; No Copyright; Avail: CPIA, 10630 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Suite 202, Columbia, MD
21044-3200 HC
We developed the Scaled Thermal Explosion Experiment (STEX) to provide a database of reaction violence from thermal
explosion of explosives of interest. A cylinder of explosive, 1, 2 or 4 inches in diameter, is confined in a steel cylinder with heavy
end caps, and heated under controlled conditions until it explodes. Reaction violence Is quantified by micropower radar measurement
of the cylinder wall velocity, and by strain gauge data at reaction onset. Here we describe the test concept and design, show
that the conditions are well understood, and present initial data with HMX-based explosives. The HMX results show that an explosive
with high binder content yields less-violent reactions that an explosive with low binder content, and that the HMX phase at
the time of explosion plays a key role in reaction violence.
Author
Explosions; Temperature Effects; Violence; Experiment Design; HMX
20010025035 Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board, Alexandria, VA USA
40 Tonne Event: A Comparison of Experimental Results and Risk Based Models
Covino, Josephine, Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board, USA; Swisdak, Michael M., Jr., Naval Surface Warfare Center,
USA; JANNAF 19th Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee Meeting; November 2000; Volume 1, pp. 95-115; In
English; See also 20010025025; No Copyright; Avail: CPIA, 10630 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Suite 202, Columbia, MD 21044-3200
HC
This paper summarizes the recent 40 tonne event completed in Australia. The airblast measurements are compared with the
predictions of the DDESB Blast Effects Computer (BEC). The paper also provides an overview of the NATO quantitative Risk
analysis results of the 40 tonne event. It outlines the basis of the setup and compares the risk based models results from Germany
(GE), the Netherlands (NL), Norway(NO), Switzerland (CH), the UK (UK), and the USA (US).
Author
Shock Waves; Quantitative Analysis; Explosions
20010025036 Air Force Research Lab., Propulsion Directorate, Edwards AFB, CA USA
Current Efforts to Develop Alternate Test Protocols for the Joint Technical Bulletin ”Department of Defense Ammunition
and Explosives Hazard Classification Procedures” TB700-2, Dated 5 January, 1998
Schwartz, Daniel F., Air Force Research Lab., USA; Bennett, Robert R., Thiokol Propulsion, USA; Graham, Kenneth J., Atlantic
Research Corp., USA; Boggs, Thomas L., Naval Air Warfare Center, USA; JANNAF 19th Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee
Meeting; November 2000; Volume 1, pp. 117-152; In English; See also 20010025025
Contract(s)/Grant(s): F04611-98-C-0003; F04611-98-C-0004; No Copyright; Avail: CPIA, 10630 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Suite
202, Columbia, MD 21044-3200 HC
When the Department of Defense (DoD) revised their Technical Bulletin (TB) 700-2, NAVSEAINST 8020.8B, TO 11A-1-47,
DLAR 8220.12 hazard classification guidelines in January 1998, it significantly changed the procedures used to determine the
explosive classification of rocket motors, to be shipped or placed in DoD storage facilities. The revised test protocols outlined
in this document, (hereafter referred to as TB 700-2) were far more conservative and costly to implement than the previous ones.
These changes will have a profound impact on the solid rocket community and in particular those involved with the research and
37