Non-Solid Explosives for Shaped Charges I: Explosive Parameters Measurements for Sensitized Liquid Explosives

The disposal of time-expired and unexploded ordnance is a major problem for the NATO countries. Simple functioning of the device, either in its design mode or by attachment of additional explosive and firing, requires extended safety zones. Inducing deflagration could reduce co-lateral damage within the safety zone. One solution to the problem, with current explosive fillings, of producing predictable performance devices for EOD work is to use liquid explosives in shaped charges. This article reports measurement of explosive performance of sensitized nitromethane, a cheap, non-detonator-sensitive liquid. Sensitization was achieved either by adiabatic gas compression, using microballoon collapse, or by a combination of trapped air bubbles in a porous polymer foam, and the chemical nature of the foam. Nitrogen-containing polyurethane foams were superior to oxygen-containing polyester foams. The results show the velocity of detonation of nitromethane is proportional to the nitromethane density in the sample rather than sample density; i.e., type I behavior. Results are promising in terms of reliability, reproducibility, and performance to encourage further investigation against EOD targets.