Detonation wave initiation of ram accelerator propellants

Abstract.

The current ram accelerator operations have shown that data on the ability of the propellants to detonate are required. Previous studies examined the efficacy of initiation techniques based on piston impact. The purpose of the present work is to analyze the effects of detonation wave transmission from a detonating mixture into a low sensitivity mixture. One-dimensional modeling based on the analysis of pressure vs particle velocity for the mixtures is used to interpret experimental data. Furthermore, calculations based on chemical kinetics (CHEMKIN code) are provided. Experimental data together with the modeling of the detonation transmission provide some new insight into the limiting conditions necessary to establish a Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) wave in a detonable mixture.