Shock initiation of the TATB-based explosive PBX-9502 heated to ∼ 76°C

We present gas-gun driven plate impact shock initiation experiments on the explosive PBX 9502 (95 weight percent triaminotrinitrobenzene, 5 weight percent Kel-F 800 binder) heated to ∼ 76°C. PBX 9502 samples were heated by flowing hot air through a sample mounting plate and surrounding coil. Temperatures were monitored using embedded and surface mounted type-E thermocouples. The shock to detonation transition was recorded using embedded electromagnetic particle velocity gauges. Results show increased shock sensitivity; time and distance to detonation onset vs. initial shock pressure are shorter than when the sample is initially at ambient temperature. Our results are consistent with those reported by Dallman and Wackerle: the “Pop-plot,” or distance to detonation, xD, vs. impact pressure, P, is log10(xD) = 3.41 − 2.47 log10(P).