Application of polyvinylidene fluoride for pressure measurements in an underwater explosion of aluminized explosives

To study underwater explosions, a new type of an underwater pressure sensor using polyvinylidene fluoride as a sensing element is developed and well calibrated. The sensor is then applied in underwater explosion tests of RDX explosives with addition of aluminum in the fiber or powder form. The results show that the peak pressure of shock waves slightly decreases when aluminum is added to RDX, and the peak pressure of the fiber aluminum composite explosive is slightly inferior to that of the explosive containing the aluminum powder at the same measuring positions.