Shock Initiation Experiments with Ignition and Growth Modeling on Low Density HMX

Shock initiation experiments on low density (~1.2 and ~1.6 g/cm3) HMX were performed to obtain in-situ pressure gauge data, characterize the run-distance-to-detonation behavior, and provide a basis for Ignition and Growth reactive flow modeling. A 101 mm diameter gas gun was utilized to initiate the explosive charges with manganin piezoresistive pressure gauge packages placed between packed layers (~1.2 g/cm3) or sample disks pressed to low density (~1.6 g/cm3). The measured shock sensitivity of the ~1.2 g/cm3 HMX was similar to that previously measured by Sheffield et al. and the ~1.6 g/cm3 HMX was measured to be much less shock sensitive. Ignition and Growth model parameters were utilized that yielded good agreement with the experimental data at both initial densities.