chief
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single-crystal explosives
The properties of many explosives are said to be enhanced when those are melted/cast etc., because of the higher density ...
There is maybe a higher stage to this: Growing single crystals out of the materials ... 
==> Any sort of single crystal, even the cubic sort, will have crystallographic directions, in which the hardness is higher than in other
directions ..., and thereby the potential speed of shockwave-propagation ...
This difference will usually have a magnitude in the order of 10s of %, sometimes even higher ...
The explosive crystal then could maybe achieve quite much higher detonation-velocities ... if set off from the right crystallographic surface ...
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a_bab
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While in theory this is a nice idea, at least from the practice we all know that for the primaries at least having large crystals is an invitation to
a spontaneous set off.
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mfilip62
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That is great theory,but IMHO even secondary HE would be
as sensitive as primaries.For example PETN and RDX may be uselessly dangerous in that form.
We all know theory that initiating explosives means to break crystals down,and that experiment could prove that.
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The WiZard is In
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Quote: Originally posted by chief  | The properties of many explosives are said to be enhanced when those are melted/cast etc., because of the higher density ...
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Assuming that there are difference in density vs. xtl size, the
problem is finding expls that crystallize. Azides and picric acid
comes to mind. Both of which are well know to be more
sensitive when large xtls are formed.
Some tempting fate have grown large azide xtls. A convenient
ref dobe.
Energetic Materials - 1
Physics and Chemistry of the Inorganic Azides
HD Fair & RF Walker Eds
Plenum Press 1977
Wayne L Garrett Chapter 2 — The Growth of Crystals
For a dated but still useful/interesting discussion of exp. xtls.
FP Bowder & AD Yoffe
Fast Reactions in Solids
Academic Press 1958
For information on how not to grow large xtls.
Title: Proceedings of the Symposium on Lead and Copper Azides
Personal Author: Taylor, G W Duke, J R Blay, N J Johansson, S Hyatt, R Todd, ...
Corporate Author: EXPLOSIVES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ESTABLISHMENT WALTHAM AB...
Source Code: 132900
Page Count: 129 page(s)
AD Number: ADA011026
Report Date: 26 OCT 1966
Free DL.
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gregxy
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I wonder what would happen if you could bypass
the whole VOD issue and initiate the entire mass of
explosive at once using a laser pulse?
The explosive would need to be transparent to the light
yet still absorb enough energy to be initiated.
Maybe start with H2/Cl2 gaseous system?
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franklyn
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Investigation of the properties of a crystal 's explosion whether it is directionally
cast or even of a matrix of oriented grains , has seen little publicity. The prospect
of direct emmision of energy by energetic materials in the precise form desired ,
devoid of conversion , transducers , or instrumentalities , suggests applications
of energetic materials such as producing electrical pulses or coherent light pulses ,
of extraordinary power.
The homogenous detonation of a mixture of Cl2 and H2 is activated by the
exposure to light. Apart from gas expansion , energy is emmited mostly as infrared.
This can be the basis of a single shot laser of ultra high power.
There is a marked absence of information about these topics , reminiscent of
the blackout on publication of atomic research just prior to world war II.
Guarded applied research for applications to weapons under the banner of
directed energy is largely responsible. What Dwight D. Eisenhower coined as
" the military industrial complex " reins supreme irrespective of academia.
Accordingly in wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faust
" Faust, and the adjective Faustian, are often used to describe an arrangement in
which an ambitious person surrenders moral integrity in order to achieve power
and success: the proverbial ' deal with the devil '. The terms can also refer to an
unquenchable thirst for knowledge."
Origin based on Goethe's epic poem and play Faust - A magician and alchemist in
German legend who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for power and knowledge.
Reference cited above by The WiZard is In
Proceedings of the Symposium on Lead and Copper Azides
http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA011026
redirects to _
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA011026&Locati...
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The WiZard is In
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| Quote: Originally posted by franklyn |
The homogenous detonation of a mixture of Cl2 and H2 is activated by the
exposure to light. Apart from gas expansion , energy is emmited mostly as infrared.
This can be the basis of a single shot laser of ultra high power.
There is a marked absence of information about these topics , reminiscent of
the blackout on publication of atomic research just prior to world war II.
Guarded applied research for applications to weapons under the banner of
directed energy is largely responsible. What Dwight D. Eisenhower coined as
" the military industrial complex " reins supreme irrespective of academia.
. |
For a dated but still useful/interesting discussion of exp. xtls.
FP Bowder & AD Yoffe
Fast Reactions in Solids
Academic Press 1958
Has a chapter on light ignition of explosives. There are
a number of US patents on this also and a wholebunch of
publications on laser ignition of explosives.
Byda some years ago "The Amateur Scientist" in Scientific
American had an article on constructing a fluorine base laser.
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quicksilver
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franklyn beat me to that subject but I would reiterate that's it's damn fascinating. I think a degree of that was in the works during the Reagan
administration.
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The WiZard is In
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| Quote: Originally posted by franklyn | Investigation of the properties of a crystal 's explosion whether it is directionally
cast or even of a matrix of oriented grains , has seen little publicity.
. |
Moving down the spectrum .....
Attachment: Explosives on the G string.txt (8kB)
This file has been downloaded 756 times
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franklyn
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Chemical lasers are old news.
The airborne laser test platform relies on hydrogen peroxide and Iodine as reactants ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_oxygen_iodine_laser , and the patent here _
http://ep.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?...
Click " Cancel " in the file download box , Click " Save Full Document " , Enter requested
numeric digits in the pop up box.
Chemical Lasers - www.afit.edu/en/docs/CDE/Chemical%20LasersWeb.pdf
hydrazine and fluorine , had also seen testing. Decomposition of difluorohydrazine
hints more at the development I highlighted , a high energy single shot concept.
That only shoots once because it is blown to bits doing so. This is so due to the
in-efficiency of conversion , 20 % of the energy output as light to presumably
deleteriously affect an aircraft or missile still leaves 4 times as much acting on
the laser itself.
Electrical output if produced in a similar way could synergistically add with the
mechanical effect of the expanding gas when coupled for example in a magnetic
rail gun or coil gun , enhancing round capacity since smaller weight of " propellant "
is required for equivalent performance. Imagine pistol rounds having rifle performance,
and with can't miss miniaturized smart bomb guidance stearing every bullet.
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