Performance and Detonation Effects of Explosives for the Synthesis of Newer Materials

Explosive energy has been used to obtain powder compacts with improved structural, crystalline and micro-mechanical properties. Explosives with low and high velocity of detonation have been used for the compaction of particulate material. The experiment involves cylindrical compaction system and a die pellet press system. For cylindrical compaction system, an explosive mixture Trimonite (AN:TNT:A1::68:25:7) having velocity of detonation 4.171km/s corresponding to its detonation pressure 45.2kbar has been specially prepared for the field experiments. In case of Die pellet press system, an explosive CE (Tetryl) has been prepared by pressing the explosive up to a density of 1.2g/cc having detonation velocity of 7.5km/s. The main thrust on the experiments is to produce larger and crack free compacts with lesser or no melting at the core with a view to align the grains in the direction of heat flow. Appropriate measures have taken to keep the crystal structure intact. The post compacts have been analyzed for crystallography, micro-structure, micro-hardness, micro-strain, particle size variation, morphology and density. The compacts with density greater than 95% of their theoretical value have been obtained. Efforts have been made to avoid micro-strain and melting. Micro hardness has improved considerably. Post compacts have been analyzed by taking samples from the inner, middle and outermost portions to confirm uniform compaction.