Detonation propagation in thin explosive layers with inert partitions

This paper describes the experimental results in the study of detonation transfer in thin layers of a PVV-12M plastic-bonded explosive (90% of RDX and 10% of bond) through solid and perforated partitions. The critical thicknesses of steel or Plexiglas partitions, exceeding which makes detonation transfer impossible, are determined for the explosive layers with a thickness of 2–12 mm. It is shown that shock waves in the plates, which bound the explosive charge, can stay ahead of the initiating shock wave in the passive part of the explosive charge and load the explosive charge from the lateral surface. Thus, the peripheral desensitized layers of the explosives are formed, which reduce the layer thickness of the detonable explosive and complicate the detonation transfer. Detonation transfer through the partitions whose thickness is greater than the critical thickness can be carried out with the use of holes in the partition, closed by thin plates. The plate thicknesses at which detonation propagates through the hole either in forward and reverse directions or in the forward direction only, are determined.