Theoretical analysis of the method of tests of solid explosives for sensitivity to mechanical impact — destructive shell

A theoretical analysis of the original test method for determining the level of sensitivity of solid explosives to mechanical stress, called Destructive Shell (DS), was carried out. It belongs to the number of nonimpact test methods when an explosive charge compressed to high pressure is suddenly released from it and freely scattered around. It is argued that in the process of high-speed movement, the fragments of destruction are compressed by the parts of the test device with simultaneous physical and mechanical interaction with them as well as with each other through heat exchange contacts and chemical reactions. The situation is generally similar to that which arises in the process of destruction of an explosive charge upon mechanical impact. Therefore, to analyze the DS method, the mathematical procedure for calculating the parameters of flows and temperatures of dissipative heating of the destroyed charge substance, previously developed for calculating an explosion upon impact, was used. The data obtained made it possible to clarify the formulations of the two main mechanisms of initiation of solid explosives by the DS method, namely, viscous-plastic and frictional heating.