Effect of specific surface area on the sensitivity of hexanitrostilbene to flyer plate impact

Abstract

Abstract The sensitivity of hexanitrostilbene (HNS) to flyer plate impact over a wide range of Specific Surface Area (SSA) has been investigated. Maximum sensitivity was found to occur at SSA between 10 and 20 m2/g for HNS pressed to 90% theoretical maximum density (TMD). Above and below this SSA the sensitivity was found to decrease. The sensitivity was also found to decrease as the density increased for HNS with an SSA of 10.3 m2/g. The hot spot and grain burning theories are employed to explain these phenomena and to relate pulse duration to the sensitivity of HNS. At high SSA, it was observed that the HNS exhibited ‘low order’ response to shock impact.