The effects of case mass to charge mass ratio on aluminum-based structural energetic materials

High explosives used in warfighting are generally encased in a steel case. The steel shell not only provides structure to the weapon, but it also contributes significantly to the total damage by adding shrapnel to the blast. Steel is commonly used due to its low cost, high strength, and destructive fragments. However, steel cases can substantially reduce the energy released by the explosive into the environment by using a large amount of energy to break the steel into fragments and accelerate them to high speeds. Alternative case materials are being investigated to have a cased explosive that has similar or greater fragmentation damage while also contributing to the energy of the initial blast. Tests were conducted on three different aluminum based reactive materials and a steel baseline explore differences in initial blast overpressure, total energy release, and fragmentation as the case mass to charge mass ratio changes. Cylindrical cases with high explosive charges were tested in a closed 4’ x 4’ blast chamber. Pressure sensors were used to measure both dynamic and static pressure for the first 90ms of each test. To isolate how much energy was released from the initial blast versus the secondary reactions from reactive fragments hitting the walls, tests for the materials were conducted where the fragments hit the steel chamber walls, or wood positioned along the shrapnel path.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Son, Nicholas T

Contributors dc:contributor

• Glumac, Nick G

• Structural Reactive Material
• Impact Induced Reaction
• Fine Particle Reaction

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Nicholas Son

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132576

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/132576