SOME EFFECTS OF AXIAL TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS IN THE WALL OF A DETONATOR DELAY ELEMENT

ABSTRACT

We investigate theoretically the variation in the speed of a deflagration wave as it travels down a detonator delay element when heat can flow axially in the metal wall of the element. The conductivity of the wall is finite so axial temperature gradients exist. We examine in particular the temperature of the metal wall at the charge end of the delay element as a function of the length of the delay element, as this controls premature initiation of a detonation wave in the charge. The numerical results are compared with a simplified analytical model.

Key word:

• Deflagration
• delay elements
• detonator
• pyrotechnic delays

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R. M. THOMAS

Mathematics Department, UMIST, Manchester M60 1QD.