Thermal properties of explosives. Quarterly report, April--June 1965

The purpose of this project is to determine the thermal properties of explosives, and to continue the development and evaluation of thermal tests. Two preliminary experiments were conducted to determine (1) how the time-to-explosion (TE) using Lee Plugs (short stainless steel and aluminum) would compare with the TE obtained using the lead plugs; and (2) how the Lee Plugs would perform with du Pont`s EL-511 and Tacot at 314{degrees}C and 362{degrees}C., respectively. The Pantex-built chromatograph is operating as a two-column instrument, and the findings of an extensive check out of the instrument are reported. The chemical reactivity test sample holders were shown to evolve approximately 30{mu}l of N{sub 2} + O{sub 2} and 3 {mu}l of CO{sub 2} when heated for 22 hours. A number of thermal tests were made on two lots of LX-04-1 (39A and 38B) to determine if any differences could be detected that would explain why Lot 38B tensile strength is much better than 39A when both were made from the same lot of Viton A. Some differences were detected, but they have not been related to the tensile strength of the material. The time-to-explosion for various Adiprenes with HMX are reported, and they indicate that there could be some reactivity between the Adiprene and HMX. Pantex and LASL DTA thermograms and pyrolograms for PETN and Extex are reported for comparison to determine how the sensitivity of Pantex instruments compare with LASL, and if these instruments could be used to qualify PETN and Extex in accordance with LASL Specification 13Y-104481