Experimental Study of Underwater Explosion Performance of RDX-based Aluminized Explosive

To investigate the underwater explosion performance of RDX-based aluminized explosive, the underwater explosion experiments for RDX-based aluminized explosives with different charge masses and aluminum contents were carried out in outdoor pools. The process of generation, expansion and contraction of underwater explosion bubbles was observed through the high-speed camera placed in water, and the pressure history of shock wave was measured by a pressure sensor. Under the experimental conditions, the secondary reaction process of powdered aluminum for RDX-based aluminized explosive during underwater explosion was captured by the high-speed camera firstly, which indicates that secondary reaction process of powdered aluminum is in the order of milliseconds. According to the experimental data, the pressure in flow field and the bubble pulsation were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the secondary reaction of powdered aluminium occurs in both the initial stage of bubble expansion and the end of bubble contraction. The secondary reaction of powdered aluminium significantly increases the pulsation ability of bubble. The secondary reaction of powdered aluminium has little effect on the peak value of shock wave and great influence on the peak value of bubble pulsation. The secondary reaction of powdered aluminium obviously affects the energy structure distribution of underwater explosion. © 2019, Editorial Board of Acta Armamentarii. All right reserved.