High-Speed Study of Drop-Weight Impact Ignition of PBX 9501 Using Infrared Thermography

Abstract

Reaction in explosive materials does not occur as a result of homogenous heating of the sample, but rather from a localized region of high temperature called a hot spot. Observation of hot spot development is critical in understanding the heat transfer mechanisms occurring during reaction. Due to the strong temperature dependence of explosives, the overall reaction rate is dominated physically by these hot spots. Once formed, these hot spots either fail to react chemically due to thermal diffusion or react exothermically thus creating an ignition site in the solid explosive. The slightest difference of physical properties can change the positioning of hot spot development, creating an argument that the differences in material properties influence the formation of hot spots, which produce an exothermic reaction.