Detonator testing using photonic Doppler velocimetry

Abstract

The paper describes a method for characterization of detonator output using photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV). Initiation of explosive charges by the shock-to-detonation transition takes place in a majority of practical applications. Successful initiation of an acceptor explosive depends on the incoming shock pressure and its duration, i.e. the energy fluence. Industrial electric detonators with copper and aluminium casing with RDX secondary charge were tested. The PDV instrumentation allowed us to obtain free surface velocity profiles at specific areas of the detonator’s surface. The proposed measurement setup may also be useful for characterization of small samples of newly developed high explosives.