Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study of TATP: blast characteristics and TNT equivalency of small charges

  • Technical note
  • Published:
Shock Waves Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Publisher's Erratum to this article was published on 30 October 2014

Abstract

Blast wave parameters including incident overpressure, impulse and duration of the positive phase of the incident blast wave and its time of arrival were experimentally determined for 50 g charges of low bulk density (\(0.4\, \hbox {g/cm}^{3}\)) dry TATP (3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexoxonane). The results were compared with published TNT data, and TNT equivalencies were determined, resulting in the values of 70 % based on overpressure and 55 % based on impulse of the positive phase of the blast wave. Brisance by the Hess method (lead cylinder compression) was found to be about one-third of that for TNT (at density \(1.2\, \hbox {g/cm}^{3})\). Detonation velocities averaged around \(2,660 \,\hbox {m/s}^{1}\)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Abbreviations

TATP:

3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexoxonane

TNT:

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

\(R \) :

Radial distance from charge

\(W \) :

Charge weight

\(I \) :

Impulse

\(I^{+}\) :

Impulse of the positive phase of the blast wave

\(t \) :

Time

\(t_{a}\) :

Time of arrival of the blast wave front

\(t^{+}\) :

Duration of the positive phase of the blast wave

Z:

Scaled distance (subscript describes relevant substance)

\(\zeta ^{+ }\) :

Scaled impulse of the positive phase of the blast wave

\(\tau _{a }\) :

Scaled time of arrival of the blast wave front

\(\tau ^{+ }\) :

Scaled duration of the positive phase of the blast wave

\(k_\mathrm{TNT}^{p_\mathrm{SO} } \) :

TNT equivalent by incident (side-on) pressure

\(k_\mathrm{TNT}^{I^{+}} \) :

TNT equivalent by impulse of the positive phase of the incident blast wave

References

  1. Sochet, I., Gardebas, D., Calderara, S., Marchal, Y., Longuet, B.: Blast wave parameters for spherical explosives detonation in free air. Open J. Safety Sci. Technol. 1, 31–42 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kinney, G.F., Graham, K.J.: Explosive shocks in air. Springer, Berlin (1985)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. de Yong, L.V., Campanella, G.: A study of blast characteristics of several primary explosives and pyrotechnic compositions. J. Hazard. Mater. 21, 125–133 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hargather, M., Settles, G.: Optical measurement and scaling of blasts from gram-range explosive charges. Shock Waves 17, 215–223 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hargather, M.J., Settles, G.S., Gatto, J.A., Hannemann, K., Seiler, F.: Gram-range explosive blast scaling and associated materials response shock waves. Springer, Berlin (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Formby, S.A., Wharton, R.K.: Blast characteristics and TNT equivalence values for some commercial explosives detonated at ground level. J. Hazard. Mater. 50, 183–198 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Cooper, P.W.: Comments on TNT equivalence, In: 20th International Pyrotechnics Seminar, Colorado Springs, Colorado, pp. 215–226 (1994)

  8. Locking, P.M.: The trouble with TNT equivalence, In: 26th International Symposium on Ballistics, Miami, (2011)

  9. Cheval, K., Loiseau, O., Vala, V.: Laboratory scale tests for the assessment of solid explosive blast effects. Part I: free-field test campaign. J. Loss Prev. Proc. Indus. 23, 613–621 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Swatosh, J.J., Cook, J., Price, P.: TNT equivalency of M1 propellant (bulk). Picatinny arsenal, Dover (1975)

  11. TM5-1300, Structures to resist the effects of accidental explosions in US Army waterways experiment station, Vicksburg, (1990)

  12. McKown, G.L., McIntyre, F.L., Moroney, J., Badoeski, W.: The equivalency of composition A5, in US army armament research and development command, pp. 1–60. Large caliber weapon laboratory, Dover (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Matyáš, R., Pachman, J.: Study of TATP: influence of reaction conditions on product composition. Propell. Explos. Pyrotech. 35, 31–37 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Matyáš, R., Pachman, J.: Thermal stability of triacetone triperoxide. Sci. Technol. Ener. Mater. 68, 111–116 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Skorcik, P.: Determination of parameters of air blast waves, p. 150. Institute of Energetic Materials, University of Pardubice, Pardubice (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  16. ČSN 66 8065, Stanovení brizance trhavin olověným válečkem (Czech standard), in, Úřad pro normalizaci a měření Praha, (1971)

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was carried out as a part of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic Project No. VG20102014032. The authors would like to thank Mr. Jiri Majzlik for assistance with the experimental setup.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Energetic Materials, University of Pardubice, 532 10 , Pardubice, Czech Republic

    J. Pachman, R. Matyáš & M. Künzel

Authors
  1. J. Pachman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Matyáš
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Künzel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Pachman.

Additional information

Communicated by E. V. Timofeev.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pachman, J., Matyáš, R. & Künzel, M. Study of TATP: blast characteristics and TNT equivalency of small charges. Shock Waves 24, 439–445 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-014-0497-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-014-0497-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation