Search

This article describes a group of optical methods for studying the explosion of shaped charges, including modifications of established methods (slit photorecording, the luminous points method, laser probing) and two new methods — measurement of wave velocities with transducers based on optical fibers and laser visualization of the shaped-charge jet. Optical methods are used to study such jets under laboratory conditions. Characteristic distortions of the symmetry of the detonation front and their effect on the jet are discussed, the probable character of breakup of the jet is established, and the distribution of the jet particles with respect to size is determined along with the maximum values of average limiting tension for copper.

This paper determines the detonation parameters of several compounds by the method of obstacles by using precision optical instruments, as described; then proposes a new approach that permits the separation of the Jouguet state from the chemical transformation zone by the method of weak overcompression in the case of detonation. The detonation regimes of retarded composites are also determined. Finally, five fundamental deductions drawn from the experiments are given.

Experimental information obtained on laboratory charges of finite length stand in some doubt. In the present work, using precision optical recordings, the applicability of the steady model to short charges is shown, the sources of error in the ''free-surface'' method are analyzed, and the results are interpreted within the framework of classical concepts. The experimental results are completely explained from the viewpoint of the hydrodynamic theory of steady detonation and the model of ''growing detonation'' is based on conclusions from experiments that were formulated in a methodologically incorrect manner according to the authors.