Experimental Determination of Stresses Generated by an Electric Detonator

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Abstract
The magnitude, duration and spatial distribution within a solid body (Plexiglas) of the transient stress disturbance generated by an electric detonator detonated in intimate contact with the body has been experimentally determined. The technique is to affix to one surface of the body a small pellet of the same material, which flies off when the disturbance reaches the surface, the velocity of the pellet being determined. The complete stress-time curves are built up by using pellets of several thicknesses. Three types of detonators have been used with these being placed flat ended against the surface of a Plexiglas block. A few were confined. The stress in the Plexiglas was found to be distributed more or less uniformly about the axis of the detonator. Along the axis both peak pressure and total momentum decreased with distance from the detonator: peak pressure exerted by an Olin Mathieson No. 6 Plasti-cap ranged from 9500 lb/in.2 at 1.25 in. from the detonator to 7000 lb/in.2 at 2.0 in.; and the momentum ranged from 16×10−3 lb-sec/in.2 at 1.25 in. to 9.0×10−3 lb-sec/in.2 at 2.0 in. The disturbance lasted about two μsec. Similar results were obtained with the other detonators.

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