The Small Scale Gap Test: Calibration and Comparison With the Large Scale Gap Test

Anomalous Shock Sensitivity/Density Relationship for RDX-Polyethylene Wax and Related Formulations from MRL Small Scale Gap Test (SSGT) Measurements,

“…More recently we have observed these same trends for pressed RDX Grade A/polyethylene wax at lower wax levels [181 and also for pressed RDX Grade A/polyurethane/zinc stearate formulations (191. These results are clearly in conflict with the consistent trends observed from other gap tests, particularly the NOL SSGT [2,91. The aim of the study described here was to identify the cause of this discrepancy.…”

“…The most widely used gap tests are those developed at Naval Ordnance Laboratories (now Naval Surface Warfare Center); the small scale gap test (NOL SSGT) [ [2,3,5,9,101. At MRL we use a SSGT similar to the AWRE SSGT [61.…”

Sensitivity Relationships in Energetic Materials

“…The ease with which a detectable reaction of any kind can be initiated in an explosive; the tendency of a small reaction, once established, to grow to destructive proportions; and the ease with which a high-order detonation can be established in an explosive all contribute to the materials response to the stimulus in a sensitivity test. These properties are a consequence of the kinetics and thermodynamics of the thermal decomposition of the explosive.Weston et al [1] have considered relationships among various shock sensitivity tests and Price [2][3][4] has considered a variety of factors important in shock sensitivity tests. Among the more sensitive explosives, correlations tend to be satisfactory between tests that rely on shock initiation.…”

Initiation Pressure Thresholds from Three Sources

“…The spacer thickness is varied from shot to shot until the 50% point of causing detonation, as determined from the results in a steel witness plate at the end of the cylinder. The geometries of the various tests are listed in Table 2 [7,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. The flyer method is at the top, and the gap tests are listed in descending order of how much they usually deviate from the flyer results.…”