Function of a PETN‐Based Exploding Bridgewire Detonator Post Melt

Manner, Virginia W.; Yeager, John D.; Smilowitz, Laura; Remelius, Dennis K.; Henson, B. F.

doi:10.1002/prep.202000077

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The present work expands our understanding of detonator functionality in accidents involving high temperatures such as fires; specifically, in detonators that contain pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) [10,11]. Manner et al [12] observed PETN melting in EBW detonators (with transparent sleeves) heated just above the melt temperature and held at those conditions for times ranging from 5-10 minutes. The detonators were positioned at various orientations with respect to gravity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 65%

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A Liquid Stratification Model to Predict Failure in Thermally Damaged EBW Detonators

Hobbs

Coronel

2022

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

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In previous work, commercially available downward facing exploding bridgewire detonators (EBWs) were exposed to elevated temperatures. These detonators were then initiated using a firing set which discharged a high amplitude short duration electrical pulse into a thin gold bridgewire. Responses of the detonators were measured using photonic doppler velocimetry (PDV) and high-speed photography. A time delay of 2 μs between EBW initiation and first movement of an output flyer separated operable detonators from inoperable detonators or duds. In the current work, we propose a simple method to determine detonator operability from the calculated state of the detonator at the time the firing set is initiated. The failure criterion is based on the gap distance between the exploding bridgewire (EBW) and the adjacent initiating explosive within the detonator which is low-density pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) that melts between 413-415 K (140-142 °C). The gap forms as PETN melts and flows to the bottom of the input pellet. Melting of PETN is modeled thermodynamically as an energy sink using a normal distribution spread over a temperature range between the onset temperature of 413 K and the ending temperature of 415 K. The extent of the melt is determined from the average temperature of the PETN. The PETN liquid is assumed to occupy the interstitial gas volume in the lower part of the input pellet. The vacated volume from the relocated liquid forms the gap between the EBW and the PETN. The remaining sandwiched layer consists of solid PETN particles and gas filling interstitial volume. We predict that a threshold gap between 17-27 μm separates properly functioning detonators from duds.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Manner et al. [12] observed PETN melting in EBW detonators (with transparent sleeves) heated just above the melt temperature and held at those conditions for times ranging from 5–10 minutes. The detonators were positioned at various orientations with respect to gravity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Liquid Stratification Model to Predict Failure in Thermally Damaged EBW Detonators

Hobbs

Coronel

2022

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

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“…Instead of the traditional thin brass sleeves, these detonators were supplied with clear plastic sleeves, allowing for visibility of the PETN during heating and firing. Unlike traditional RP-1 detonators, these modified RP-1’s are open at the top, allowing the output pellet to be visible …”

Section: Experimental Sectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We also estimate the amount of decomposition relative to sublimation that we measure through gas evolution. As there has been recent interest in the performance of thermally damaged detonators, ,, we also characterize the performance through firing behavior of the molten PETN in commercial detonators. This is a critically important area of study as it influences the handling safety for detonators and other explosive systems which have been thermally compromised and will impact future safety qualifications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Evaluation and Performance Characterization of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) under Melt Conditions

et al. 2022

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Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a nitrate ester explosive commonly used in commercial detonators. Although its degradation properties have been studied extensively, very little information has been collected on its thermal stability in the molten state due to the fact that its melting point is only ∼20 °C below its onset of decomposition. Furthermore, studies that have been performed on PETN thermal degradation often do not fully characterize or quantify the decomposition products. In this study, we heat PETN to melt temperatures and identify thermal decomposition products, morphology changes, and mass loss by ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. For the first time, we quantify several decomposition products using independently prepared standards and establish the resulting melting point depression after the first melt. We also estimate the amount of decomposition relative to sublimation that we measure through gas evolution and evaluate the performance behavior of the molten material in commercial detonator configurations.

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“…The shape and material nature of Cu foil, which affects the energy deposition, plasma output ability and flyer velocity, is the most researched topic on exploding foil detonators [1][2][3], which are considered as the key materials for electronic safe and arm systems for rocket motor ignition, fuzing, ammunition, and flight termination applications [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The velocity and shape of the flyer are two key factors that affect the energy-output effect of exploding foil initiators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Grain Size and Micromorphology of Cu Foil on the Velocity of Flyer of Exploding Foil Detonator

Han

Deng

Chu³

et al. 2021

Applied Sciences

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In this paper, the effect of grain size and micromorphology of Cu foil on the velocity of the flyer of an exploding foil detonator was studied. A Cu foil with different grain sizes and micromorphologies was prepared by the physical vapor deposition sputtering method. The flyer velocity of the Cu foil was measured by the photon Doppler technique (PDT). The influence of the grain size and micromorphology of the Cu foil (which was the core transducer of the exploding foil detonator) on the flyer velocity and reacted morphology was discussed. The results show that the grain size and micromorphology of the Cu film can greatly affect the velocity and morphology of the flyer. The grain size of the Cu film is more uniform, and the stimulus response in the middle area of the bridge foil is more concentrated. In addition, the current density becomes more uniform, resulting in a better explosion performance. Consequently, the speed of the formed flyer becomes higher, leading to a smoother flyer surface, which is more conductive to energy conversion.

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Function of a PETN‐Based Exploding Bridgewire Detonator Post Melt

Cited by 6 publications

References 13 publications

A Liquid Stratification Model to Predict Failure in Thermally Damaged EBW Detonators

A Liquid Stratification Model to Predict Failure in Thermally Damaged EBW Detonators

Chemical Evaluation and Performance Characterization of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) under Melt Conditions

Effect of Grain Size and Micromorphology of Cu Foil on the Velocity of Flyer of Exploding Foil Detonator

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