Investigations into detonation of aluminized high explosives

Characteristics of explosions of HMX mixtures with aluminum particles 0.5, 20, 50, and 150 mum in size at Al weight concentrations of 5, 15, and 25% a re reported. The detonation velocity, velocity of copper cylinder expansion , velocity of a steel plate accelerated by explosion, and heat of explosive conversion are measured. As follows from the experimental results, additio n of aluminum particles 0.5 mum in size reduces the velocity of HMX detonat ion to a greater extent. These results also show that in spite of a decreas e in the detonation velocity, aluminum additives significantly increase the total explosion energy. The energy released by aluminum oxidation in the e xpanding explosion products increases the velocity of accelerated metal pla tes.