Characterization of paste-extrudable explosives using a penetration test

Penetration tests have been widely used to investigate the behavior of conc entrated suspensions. Unfortunately, empirical parameters were introduced t o relate measurements to material rheological parameters such as viscosity or yield stress. On the contrary, this paper describes an analytical method available for viscoplastic materials (Bingham constitutive law). A compari son is made, for an explosive paste, between this approach and some others rheological techniques. At last. the proposed method is used to analyse the influence of the paste components on the flow of high concentrated explosi ve suspensions.