The development and application of a pivoted beam test apparatus for assessing safety in the handling of initiator devices

Citation
Rk. Wharton et al., The development and application of a pivoted beam test apparatus for assessing safety in the handling of initiator devices, PROP EXPL P, 26(2), 2001, pp. 84-90
Citations number
5
Categorie Soggetti
Chemical Engineering
Journal title
PROPELLANTS EXPLOSIVES PYROTECHNICS
ISSN journal
07213115 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
84 - 90
Database
ISI
SICI code
0721-3115(200105)26:2<84:TDAAOA>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
Initiator devices contain small quantities of explosives and are therefore capable of causing harm to operators in the event of an accidental initiati on. Little information exists on methods for assessing whether initiator de vices can be safely subjected to the sorts of forces generated in manual ha ndling. We have therefore undertaken research to quantify such forces and t hen to design the apparatus to replicate them. Typical forces are those gen erated in pulp pinch grips and in single finger presses. This paper present s information relating to the design and use of a pivoted beam unit and its use to investigate percussion caps, a conducting composition cap, stab det onators, flash sensitive detonators, electric detonators and stab igniters.