Precursor shock evolution in additive-manufactured high explosive structures

Cracks, voids, and channels can strongly influence detonation wave propagation in a high explosive (HE) structure. Air gaps between adjacent regions of HE or between the HE and an external confining material may cause precursor shock waves to form which run ahead of the detonation wave and pre compress or “dead-press” the HE leading to detonation failure. Additive manufacturing allows for the fabrication of HE structures with geometries that are not reproducible with conventional casting, pressing or extrusion methods, and enables the production of samples with controlled void channels via selective control of inter-strand gaps. Precursor shock and detonation wave characteristics in internal inter-strand AM HE channels are herein evaluated by flash x-ray and high-speed imaging. Recent results for the ongoing research project will be presented.

LA-UR-22-22190