98,690 research outputs found

    The Development of explosives competencies, training and education in the UK

    Get PDF
    Competent explosives workers in the Armed Forces and in the civil sector are critical to the safe production, testing and use of explosives. Moreover we need competent explosives specialists to combat the challenge from terrorism and clean up the planet from the explosive hazards that are the legacy of past conflicts. Unfortunately many countries are witnessing a significant loss of capability in this area and are looking at ways of replenishing vital expertise. This paper describes the work done in recent years by the authors and others in the UK to establish numbers of people working in the sector and to consider the skills and knowledge required to carry out their work. It outlines the concept of national occupational standards and the framework of professional and vocational qualifications that are available or are being developed for explosives specialists. It also describes some of the educational and e-learning programmes designed to support this initiative. Ultimately the aim is to address the professionalism of all personnel who deal with explosives in order to reduce the incidence and consequence of accidents and maintain national capability

    Sensitivity of solid explosives: Minimum energy of a dangerous impact

    Get PDF
    A method which uses initiating explosives for determining the sensitivity of solid explosives is described. The energy index of sensitivity is determined by the mechanical properties of the explosives. The results of the calculations are discussed

    Permanent wire splicing by an explosive joining process

    Get PDF
    The invention is an apparatus and method for wire splicing using an explosive joining process. The apparatus consists of a prebent, U-shaped strap of metal that slides over prepositioned wires. A standoff means separates the wires from the strap before joining. An adhesive means holds two ribbon explosives in position centered over the U-shaped strap. A detonating means connects to the ribbon explosives. The process involves spreading strands of each wire to be joined into a flat plane. The process then requires alternating each strand in alignment to form a mesh-like arrangement with an overlapped area. The strap slides over the strands of the wires, and the standoff means is positioned between the two surfaces. The detonating means then initiates the ribbon explosives that drive the strap to accomplish a high velocity, angular collision between the mating surfaces. This collision creates surface melts and collision bonding results in electron sharing linkups

    Effect of type of explosives and physical-mechanical properties of explosive rock on formation of toxic gases in atmosphere of shafts

    Get PDF
    The quality of toxic gases formed during explosive work in underground shafts depends upon the type of explosives and the conditions of explosion. Several types of explosives and rocks were examined. All remaining conditions were maintained the same (sandy-argillaceous stemming, electrical method of explosions, diameter of blast holes, and the direct triggering of charges)

    Explosives and pyrotechnic propellants for use in long term deep space missions

    Get PDF
    Explosives and pyrotechnic propellant materials which will withstand heat sterilization cycling at 125 C and ten year deep space aging under 10 to the minus 6th power torr and 66 C have been selected. The selection was accomplished through a detailed literature survey and an analytical evaluation of the physicochemical properties of the materials. The chemical components of the electroexplosive devices used in U.S. missiles and spacecraft were categorized into primary explosives, secondary explosives, and propellant ingredients. Kinetic data on such parameters as thermal decomposition and sublimation were obtained for these materials and used as a basis for the ten year life prediction. From these experimental data and some analytical calculations, a listing of candidate materials for deep space missions was made

    Suicide by Bomb, with Decapitation

    Get PDF
    Suicide by explosion is rare outside of the context of terrorist activities. We present a case of a man with a history of explosives expertise who committed suicide by bomb/decapitation. The case serves to remind forensic pathologists of several important issues when presented with a case involving explosives, such as ensuring the safety of all those involved in the investigation and the importance of interagency cooperation. Potentially invaluable ancillary tests at autopsy include performing radiology, collecting trace evidence, retaining clothing, ensuring the positive identity of the decedent, and recognizing the importance of documenting injury types and patterns

    Polymeric binder for explosives

    Get PDF
    Chemical reaction for producing a polymer which can be mixed with explosives to produce a rigid material is discussed. Physical and chemical properties of polymers are described and chemical structure of the polymer is illustrated

    Design of a virtual sensor data array for the analysis of RDX, HMX and DMNB using metal-doped screen printed electrodes and chemometric analysis

    Get PDF
    The detection of explosive substances is a subject of high importance in several areas including environmental health, de-mining efforts (land and sea) and security and defence against terrorist activity. The use of electrochemical methods for the detection of these substances has increased in recent years but still is quite restricted to the most common explosives. The electrochemical detection of explosive nitroamines and taggant substances in solution using a virtual sensor array of metal-doped screen printed electrodes and differential pulse voltammetry was achieved. The multiple sets of voltammetric data from the different electrodic systems using Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) were integrated using multivariate analysis (PCA, NIPALS and LDA) and matched with known substances present in explosives. These combinations created a mathematical array which separated the explosives, even if the electrochemical information is buried or mixed with the background noise. Two explosive substances: octogen (HMX- 1,3,5-Trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine) and cyclonite (RDX- Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) and a taggant agent 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB) were subjected to electrochemical analysis using a solid carbon- based screen printed electrode modified with silver, gold and platinum in aqueous solutions. Keywords
    corecore