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CONFIDENTIAL NOLTR 6.5-1 1:

-,..'- EXPLOSIVE PROPERTIES AND HANDLING

CHARACTERISTICS OF HNS-I (U)

25 FEBRUARY 1966

~NOL.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ORDNANCE LABORATORY, WHITE OAK, MARYLAND

NOTICE: This material contains information affecting the natior.aldefense of the United States withir, the meaning of the Espionage Laws,Title 18, U.S.C. Sections 793 and 794, the transmission or revelationof which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law;

This report contains commercially restricted in-formation and is not tc be distriboed to Non-

I--. Government addressees without written author-_.I ization from the Naval Ordnance Laboratory.0

DMwngraded at 3 Year InfeetwDecla=i4d after 12 Years. DOD Dir 5200.10

CONFIDENTIAL

NOLTR 65-111CONFIDENTIAL

II 1

EXPLOSIVE PROPERTIES AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICSOF ENS-I (U)

ByEo Eugene Kilmer

ABSTRACTs The terminating explosive components used with heatresistant mild detonating fuse (MDF) should contain explosivesof comparable heat resistant properties. One explosive forthis use is hexanitrostilbene (HNS-I). It is sufficientlyinsensitive to heat, impact, and electrostatic spark to be usedin MDF end couplers and end boosters. It has acceptabledetonation velocity and sensitivity for these uses.

EXPLOSION DYNAMICS DIVISIONEXPLOSIONS RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

U. S * NAVAL ORDNANCE LABORATORYWHITE OAKs, MARYLAND

iCONFIDENTIAL

_ _-11 / 1 II IIIl ifl 11IlI I

j CONFIDENTIAL

NOLTR 65-111 25 February 1966

EXPLOSIVE PROPERTIES AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF HiNS-I (U)

Thit is one of the reports on "The Investigation of High andLow Temperature Resistant Explosive Devices" work being con-ducted for NASA Manned Spacecraft Center at Houston, Texasunder Task NOL-787. Related work leading up to this study wassponsored by the FBM Evaluation Committee of the U. S. NavalOrdnance Laboratory under assignment from the Special ProjectsOffice, Bureau of Naval Weapons (References 1 through 4). Thiswork is being carried out to investigate new heat resistantexplosives and to determine their usefulness in explosivecomponents for future space programs like APOLLO. This reportdiscusse, Hexanitrostilbene (HNS-I) and its explosive properties.

The identification of commercial materials implies no criticismor endorsement by the U. S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory.

J. A. DARECaptain, USNComm nder

C.Wo ARONSONBy direction

CONFIDENTIAL

-- _J

No1R 65-n1

COOMITM

•Page

EXLOWmWADIMNGAMD FING PROPER=IEOF MiS-I .. .0 *.** 0DCETOATIC PROPERTIES OF mSS-I.............. .... 2

IIJAJSTRATTcRIS

Figure , ATypicalMDFEndfBooster . .. . . 5Figure 2. Photoumicrograph of Hexanitrosti:lbene MNS-I . . . a . . 6Figure 3. PhotomicrographofHexanitrostbenem HS-R o * TFigure I. Electrostatic Spark Sensitivity Test for _MS-_ 8Figure 5. Electrostatic Spark Sensitivity Test for MiS-R ... 9Figure 6. Electrostatic Spark Sensitivity Test for PET~N and RDX. *. 10Figure 7. The S=31i Scale Detonation Velocity of ENS-I as a

Function of the Density and ColuzmDiamueter ... *. 1Figure 8. Small Scale Gap Test Sensitivity vs.I Loading

Pressure of ZfS-I Compared with Other Explosives . . . . . 12Fi e Th Oeity of iI

i_.i•, , E~OOIATIDFRITOF L

i ¢•llC~~~~~l•~IaN

Noum 6,-ni

P.Nreiu efforts have idctdaneInthe NASA AploProgram, and

booster * ilS-I, a heat resistant explosive, has been used successfull Inthe end booster. A typical end booster Is shown on Figure 1. This reportpresents the handling and detonation properties of the hexazaitrostilbene(HNS-I)4I*. These properties Include determinations of: the detonationvelocity in various explosive column diameters., the impact sensitivity., theelectrostatic spark sensitivity., andi the chepical stability. ENS-1Iis nowrbeing used In the F-13. Aircraft Crew Module'.

EXPLOSIV WADING AND FIRING PROPERPM OF ]MS-I

Chemical, Crystal and Handling Properties

2.* The chemical properties of MNS-I have been reviewed In reference 7. Thecolor of the INS-I crystals varies with particle size, but It is norms.1y ayellow-brown. A phatomicrograph of MKS-I Is shown In Figure 2. The particlesize Is about 10 microns with an appreciable number of s=33ler crystals,These small particles agglomerate., but break up easily on handling. However,they do tend to pick up a static charge and stick to handling tools. Handlingis facilitated by maintaining the relative humidity In the loading area at65 to 70% IM, This Is contrary to the humidity conditions for handling ofHNS-R, Figure 3,. and DIPAM which handle best at between 110 and 115% RHOImpact Sensitivity

3. The 50% impact height of HNS-I(X-498)***, using sandpaper, theNOL-ERL machine with Type 12 tools, and a 2.5 Kg weight, is 47 cm.This is based on a 25 shot Bruceton run. HNS-I is less sensitivethan tetryl (50% impact height 40 cm)and should be safer tohandle during loading operations.

* References may be found on page 1..441915-I is a superfine (<10 microns) ENS obtained directly in the chemical

synthesis from the mother liquor.I HNS-R is an MNS recrystallized slowly from bulk ENS.M S-" is an ENS obtained by refluxing a mine d solvent and bulk rS andrecrystallizing HIS from the solvent in the pot.

***NO-IL sample identification number.

•-• eloityin arius xploivecol• dameers the•pat snsiivlF• he4 - i

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I

NoiR 65-mA

Electrostatic Spark Sensitivity

/ 1 4. It is important to know the electrostatic Lpark sensitivity of explosiveswhen they are to be handled In bulk form. Me test method and equipumntdescribed In NAVORD Report 6632° wa used to determine the static sparksensitivity of US-I. Data for US-I, US-R, sad RDX and PEN 4re given InFigures h, 5, and 6 respectively. More testing is planned at the lovercapacitance, higher voltage levels which more closely simulate human chargecharacteristics. We Judge from the results so far obtained that US-I and

S.-R require only the ordinary precautions against static electricity thatare appropriate for handling intermediate and high explosives.

DGATIOK PROPNlIES OF US-I

Bull1 Scale Detonation Velocity Test

5. Detonation properties of M1S-I were determined In several small scaletests combining the effects of colum diameter, charge density. and detonationvelocity. this Infomation Is necessary particularly If the explosive Is to beused in Mi detonating fuse, flexible linear shaped charge, and small. diaterexplosive components such as end couplers and end boosters. The seaul scaledetonation velocity test 9 was used. Coufinemt was in steel bodies. Theexplosive column diamters were 0.30 inch, 0.20 inch, and 0.10 inch. A plotof the mall scale detonation velocity of US-l as a function of its densityand column diameter is shown in Figure 7. The detonation velocity is aboutthe same as that of US-B which is 6.9-7.1 =/Pec at a density of 1.7 g/cc.DIPAM has a detonation velocity of about 7.4 =APsec at a density of 1.7 g/cc.

Bull scale Gap Test

6. This test uses an arbitrary confi•u•ion to study the transfer ofdetonation between small-dinmster charges , The charges are loaded Inheavy-walled brass containers. The initiating shock is derived from anBD-loaded donor. The shock strength is varied by changing the thicknessof lucite interposed between the donor and the acceptor. The acceptorexplosive, in powder form, is pressed Into the acceptor at a pressure whichwill give the desired density. The data are reported in units of Dig(Gap Decibang):

Dig - 30-10 log (dbsey red gap in mils).

The dent in a steel witness block is used to judge whether or not theacceptor was initiated.

7. Five 20-shot Bruceton tests were run with HNS-I. Theacceptors were pressed at 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 KPSI. The resultshave been plotted in Fig. 8. The results for several otherexplosives are shown for comparison. From the results, it maybe seen that HNS-I is less sensitive than HNS-R but has aboutthe same sensitivity as DIPAM. From these results, and thosefrom the impact and static sensitivity tests, it was judged

2CONFIDENTIAL

-- 'I--

OcUF~IDUALNorm5 65 -in

that VB-I couJ be handled ard loadea safeluy and tha It can be properlyused beyond the Interrupter in fuze trains.

8. The explosive vigor of MUS-I was obtained by the steel dent test as anadjunct of the small scale gap test. The output of 158-I Is compared inFigure 9 %wth tetryl and with other heat resistant explosives such as DATand TACOT. The output of US-I In brass confinement is greater than that of"tetryl at low pressures and is less than that of DATB and TACOT.

CONCLUS IONS

9. From the results of this test program, it can be concludedthat:

a. HNS-I may be considered to be insensitive for all generalhandling purposes. The precautions normally used for handlingintermediate and high explosives should be adequate.

b. Small scale detonation velocity tests in heavy confine-ment indicate that propagation is supported in column diametersat least as small as 0.1 inch**

c. Small scale gap tests show HNS-I to have the samesensitivity as DIPAM and to be less sensitive than boosterexplosives such as tetryl. (This is at the same loading pressure.)As a consequence, HNS-I is insensitive enough to be used beyondthe fuze-train interrupter in Navy explosive systems.

On the basis of the abo e work, and in view of the new processof producing HNS-I from TNT , it is recommended that thismaterial be explored for possible use in leads and boosters as apure explosive or a plastic bonded explosive (PBX).

*TACOT is the trade name of an explosive manufactured by theE. I. duPont deNemours Co.

**Fabrication of HNS-I in MDF has shown propagation in smallcore loads of less than 2 grs/ft (approx. "025 column diameter).

3CONF IDENT IAL

I.;? - ? --,,- - _ __- -

IT r M rlAL

1. NOIfl 63-16, "Derelopmnt of a Nigh Temperature Re ista.it ýLllld Ilt4tmMllmg

2. ZOIER 63-258, "Dmeiopent of a IL& Temperature Resistant Mild DetonatingFuse mr) n ()"'. . Kimer, 1 96pr11., Confidlential.

3. No=n 63-25,, "DMveopmmt of a Nigh Temperature Resistant Mild DetonatingPas (W)- n (a 12a.22Jl19&11,Cofdnil

ii. solm 65-69., "Develo~pment of a Nip Temperature Resistant Mild Detonatingpuse (HN) - IT (U)", N. mr6 A 965, Confi .tial.

5. NOLTR 65-98, "End Booster for Heat Resistant MildDetonating Fuse (U)", E. Kilmer, in process, confidential.

6. mDonef3 Aircraft Corp, "Stiy of 91osive Propagation Across Air 0""j,3334 K. Sd 1imi, B. Kirk, A Doe 19W

T- NOUt &-A31, "Neat Resistant Nxpoaives XVI, A New Synthesis of 2,92'.11.,hIi.,6,6•'64zenitrostilbene. Emw (c). K. G. Shipp, 22 Apr 19, Confiential.

8. NAVoDw Report 6632, "se lectrostatic Spark Sensitivity of Bulk ftplosivesand Metaf/Oxiddat Mixtures (U)", R. X. It. Wyatt, 1 = 1959j, Confidential.

9. AVOtRD Report 2282., "Sm= Scale Techniques for Measunremat of DetonationVelocities", L. D. Nsa0ton, R. . Stream, 21 Dec 1951, Unclassified.

10. NuAWD Report T.*2, "Standardization of the sU scale Gaq Test toMeasure the Sensitivity of Explosives (U)", J. N. Ayres, 16 Jan 1961,Unclassified

CIO

6

CONFIDENTIALNOLTR 65-111

II

a

HNS-I BODY MDF

A1END

oI IeIII " ,

-o1_. *W i l -t- L-1ONFIDENTII

S~FIG. I A TYPICAL MDF END BOOSTER

5CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIALINOLTR 65-Il 111

i IF4

- I-T

FIG. 2 PHOTOMICROGRAPH OF HEXANITROSTILBENE HNS-I(NOIL SAMPLE NO. X-498)

61CONFIDENTIAL

21~ CONFI DENTIALNOLTR 65-111

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CONFIENTIA

CONFiDENTIALI NOLTR 65-111

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I CONFIDENTIALI NOLTR 65-111

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CONFIDENTIALp

CONFIDENTIALNOLTR 65-1 11

7.0

x x

6.5

Lu xJE

0

1 6.0Lu

z0

44

zLu

55 HNS-I0 SMALL SCALE DETONATION VELOCITY

COLUMN DIAMETER

0 0.1" NOL SAMPLE

"a 0.2" X-498

x 0.311

5.011.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8!I I

DENSITY (9/cc)

FIG. 7 THE SMALL SCALE DETONATION VELOCITY OF HNS-IASA FUNCTION OF THE DENSITY AND COLUMN DIAMETER

C I TCONFIDENTIALJ

• i3

CONFIDENTIALNOLTR 65-111

8-

70

DATB

-6

zH NS-I

(-)

m = u

0 DIPAM

I.-UH HNS-R,40

z3 TETRYL

3

2

0 2 4 8 16 32 6LOADING PRESSURE (KPSI)

FIG. 8 SMALL SCALE GAP TEST SENSITIVITY VS LOADING PRESSURE OF HNS-ICOMPARED V. ITH OTHER EXPLOSIVES.

12CONFIDENTIAL

8 -__ _ _ _n_ _m

CONFIDENTIAL1 NOLTR 65-111

60

NOTE:OUTPUT IS MEASURED AS THE

INDENTATION OF A STEEL (AISI 1010- 1020)WITNESS PLATE.

55

p = DENSITYTMD = THEORETICAL MAXIMUM DENSITY

50

0

45

TACOT

I TETRYLDATB

35 IHNS-I60 70 80 90 100

p/TMD (%)FIG. 9 THE OUTPUT VS DENSITY OF HNS-I AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES

13CONFIDENTIAL

A]

tUNCLASSIFIEDSecurity Classification

DOCUMENT CONTROL DATA - R&D(Security claaslllcation of title, body of abatract and indexing annotation must be entered when the overall report is ceessified)

I. ORIGINATING ACTIVITY (Corporate author) 2a REPORT SECURITY C LASSIFICATION

- U. S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory ConfidentialWhite Oak, Silver Spring, Maryland 2b GRoup

2"43 REPORT TITLE

Explosive Properties and Handling Characteristics of HNS-I (U)

4. DESCRIPTIVE NOTES (Type of report and Incluslve date*)

S AUTHOR(S) (Last name, first name, Initial)

Kilmer, E. Eugene

* REPORT DATE 78 TOTAL. NO. OF PAGES 7b. NO. OF REFS

25 February 1966 13 i10Sa. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. 9a ORIGINATOR'S REPORT NUMSER(S)

6. PROJECT No. NOL-787 NOLTR 65-ill

C. Sb. OTHER REPORT NOMS) (Any other numbers that may be asselnodthisarapofft)

d.10. A VA ILABILITY/LIMITATION NOTICES

In addition to security requirements which apply to this documentand must be met, each transmittal outside the agencies of theU. S. Government must have prior approval of NOL.

1I. SUPPL EMENTARY NOTES r12. SPONSORING MILITARY ACTIVITY

NASA

13. ABSTRACT

The explosive HNS is finding application in a number of devicesincluding MDF, end couplers, and end boosters. This reportgives the results of electrostatic spark sensitivity, smallscale gap sensitivity, impact sensitivity and detonation velocitytests on a variety of HNS designated HNS-I. Detonation velocityhas been determined as a "'Pction of column diameters.

DD 1*47 UNCLASSIFIEDSecurity Classification

I.Inmmemmmm~m emum m ml nmn u • • •• m ••mu • u m • • u m m m • • N emm

i7W

UNCLASSIFIEDSecurity Classification

S14. KEY WORDS LINK A LINK S LINK CRqOLE- WT ROLE WTr ROLE WT r

Boosters, mild detonating fuseCouplers, mild detonation fuseFuses, mild detonatingFuses, explosivesExplosives, properties ofMissilesAircraft, Crew ModuleAircraft, F-IllSpace Vehicle, GEMINI

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