Thermodynamic Analysis on the Aging of THPP, ZPP and BKNO3 Explosive Charges in PMDs

Abstract

The aging of explosive charges in pyrotechnic mechanical devices (PMDs) significantly affects the reliability of their performance. Aging decreases the explosive power of explosive charges via pre-oxidation by external sources of oxygen. In this study, the flame temperature was calculated based on the amount of added oxygen source, and the effect of aging was quantified in terms of the performance of explosive charges. Three primary explosive charges (THPP, ZPP, and BKNO3) were selected, and the explosion was assumed to have occurred in a closed adiabatic system. The flame temperature decreased with increasing oxygen addition, suggesting that the aging decreased the pressure exerted by the PMDs. The explosive power decreased in the following order: ZPP >> THPP > BKNO3 (4100 >> 3260 > 3050 K), and it was decreased by aging as follows: ZPP >> BKNO3 > THPP (802 >> 219 > 95 K per mole of added water). As a result, ZPP is appropriate for the generation of the huge thrust of PMDs despite its increased susceptibility to aging, while THPP is superior for reliable PMD performance.