Detonation reaction zone studies on TATB explosives. [PBX 9502 (95/5 wt % TATB/Kel-F), PBX 9503 (80/15/5 wt % TATB/HMX/Kel-F), X-0407 (70/25/5 wt % TATB/PETN/Kel-F)]

Interface velocity histories between heterogeneous detonating explosives and transparent windows, separated by a thin (13 ..mu..m) aluminum shim, have been obtained with an image-intensified rotating-mirror streak camera and a Fabry-Perot velocity interferometer system. Seven TATB-based explosives were studied with PMMA windows for typically three charge lengths. Two of the explosives were also studied with LiF windows. In each case a non-steady detonation was observed, with each increasing charge length showing a corresponding increase in the interface velocity histories. Time resolution and velocity error are estimated to be about 6 ns and 2%, respectively. Numerical simulations for one of the explosives, for which a shock-strength modified Arrhenius rate law (DAGMAR) and an assumed equation of state (HOM) had been previously calibrated wth shock initiation gauge data, gave good agreement with the experimental velocity histories. 19 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.