Shock-wave initiation of detonation of double-base propellants

In the known experimental system “active charge–target–HE charge to be tested”, critical pressures of shock waves initiating detonation of double-base propellant charges are determined. TNT charges of various density were used as active HE, and copper plates 5 mm thick were used as targets. The pressure of the shock wave acting on the propellant versus the TNT density was constructed; this dependence being known the critical pressure can be readily determined with only the density of the active charge available. It was found that double-base propellants are close to liquid HE in terms of sensitivity to shock waves; the critical pressure is 6.0–9.0 GPa for a charge diameter of 40 mm and decreases with increasing diameter. By an example of the NDT-2 propellant, it is shown that the use of factory-packed propellants in line charges may lead to failure in transfer of detonation from one propellant charge to another.