APPLICATIONS OF FLASH X-RAY TO BALLISTIC RESEARCH

Although not a true NDT technique, flash X-ray (FXR) is frequently used to radiograph explosive stores as they detonate. FXR offers the scientists or engineer three unique reasons for its deployment: it makes it possible to see exactly what is happening within the warhead during the detonation/explosion; visibility is not obscured by the kinetic flash, luminescent gas cloud or explosive debris normally associated with explosions; due to its ultra short exposure times, it 'freezes' even very fast events, for example objects moving at speeds of up to 10,000 m/s. This paper explains the basic concepts and uses of flash X-ray as used at the Proof and Experimental Establishment, Pendine; and examines the problems of protecting a FXR tube head and film cassette placed near to a warhead as it denotates.