Effect of ultrafine Al-C particle additives on the PETN sensitivity to radiation exposure

Abstract

The thresholds of explosive decomposition of PETN (pentaerythrite tetranitrate) with the addition of ultrafine Al-C mechanocomposite particles were measured as a function of the concentration of the latter in the experimental samples exposed to laser pulses (1.064 nm, 12 ns). The sample density was 1.73 g/cm3, and the Al-C particle size at the distribution peak was 220 nm. The minimum threshold of explosive transformation corresponding to a 50% probability of explosion with an energy density of 4 J/cm2 was reached at an optimum concentration of the mechanocomposite of 0.1–0.3%. Comparison with experimental data obtained for samples with aluminum nanoparticle additives was performed.