Experimental and Numerical Research in Explosive Loading of Two- and Three-Component Solid Mixtures

Abstract

We have conducted experimental and numerical research in two- and three-component solid mixtures placed into a cylindrical recovery ampoule under explosive loading. Behavior of the mixture is described by a mathematical model of a multicomponent medium. In the model, every component of a mixture simultaneously occupies the same volume as the mixture. Components interact with each other, exchanging momentum, energy, and mass (if the chemical reaction between the components occurs). An equality of components’ pressure is chosen as a condition for joint deformation of components. Finite element method is used for solving the problems. We considered experimentally and numerically explosive loading of the aluminum-sulfur mixture, and explosive compaction of the aluminum-sulfur-carbon mixture in a cylindrical steel ampoule. The inert substance (graphite) was added to the mixture to avoid the reaction between aluminum and sulfur. Most of the focus is on simulating the action of explosion products on the ampoule. In the computations the actions of the detonation products surrounding the ampoule was simulated by the action of pressure on the upper part of the ampoule in a vertical (axial) direction and on the lateral surface of the ampoule in a horizontal (radial) direction. We varied the thickness of the explosive that acts on the upper part of the ampoule in the axial direction in order to study the influence of the parameter on a final shape and size of the ampoule. We founded the essential influence of the thickness of the explosive layer on the final result of explosive compaction. Insufficient thickness of explosives, as well as the excessive thickness may be a reason for an incompletely compacted final product or lead to the formation of cracks or damage.