The evolution of solid density within a thermal explosion. I. Proton radiography of pre-ignition expansion, material motion, and chemical decomposition

L. Smilowitz, B. F. Henson, J. J. Romero, B. W. Asay, A. Saunders, F. E. Merrill, C. L. Morris, K. Kwiatkowski, G. Grim, F. Mariam, C. L. Schwartz, G. Hogan, P. Nedrow, M. M. Murray, T. N. Thompson, C. Espinoza, D. Lewis, J. Bainbridge, W. McNeil, P. RightleyM. Marr-Lyon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report proton transmission images obtained during direct heating of a sample of PBX 9501 (a plastic bonded formulation of the explosive nitramine octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX)) prior to the ignition of a thermal explosion. We describe the application of proton radiography using the 800 MeV proton accelerator at Los Alamos National Laboratory to obtain transmission images in these thermal explosion experiments. We have obtained images at two spatial magnifications and viewing both the radial and the transverse axes of a solid cylindrical sample encased in aluminum. During heating we observe the slow evolution of proton transmission through the samples, with particular detail during material flow associated with the HMX β-δ phase transition. We also directly observe the loss of solid density to decomposition associated with elevated temperatures in the volume defining the ignition location in these experiments. We measure a diameter associated with this volume of 1-2 mm, in agreement with previous estimations of the diameter using spatially resolved fast thermocouples.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103515
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume111
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2012
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The evolution of solid density within a thermal explosion. I. Proton radiography of pre-ignition expansion, material motion, and chemical decomposition'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this