Laser pulse initiation of RDX-Al and PETN-Al composites explosion

Abstract The explosive thresholds Hcr of the composites cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX)-Al and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN)-Al under the action of neodymium laser (wavelength 532 nm, pulse duration 14 ns) were experimentally determined for the first time as a function of the aluminum content. The experiments were performed using aluminum nanopowder with average diameter 100 nm. The gas-dynamic energy losses were prevented. The minimal thresholds achieved in the experimental conditions were determined that are H c r = 1  J/cm2 for the composites RDX-Al at the mass fraction of Al 0.2% and H c r = 0.33  J/cm2 for PETN-Al composites at aluminum mass fraction 0.1%.