New developments in cylinder testing

The measurement diagnostics and analysis of the cylinder test which increased the precision and the resolution several fold is discussed. Babry-Perot interferometry and higher speed, higher magnification streak cameras were employed. The tests are now commonly carried out using 2 in. (5.08 cm) copper tubes instead of 1 in. (2.54 cm) tubes. The tube wall thickness is, however, unchanged .1 in. (.25 cm), which effectively increases the time resolution. The early expansion history is evaluated with high precision. The analysis of cylinder test data for composite explosives reveals the key factors which control explosive performance. Test data on mixtures of ammonium nitrate (AN) and TNT and mixtures of HMX, TATB and BTF demonstrate the importance of particle size, stoichiometry and temperature.