SHOCK SENSITIVITY

Shock sensitivity is a comparative measure of the sensitivity to sudden compression

(by impact or blast) of an explosive chemical compound. Determination of the shock
sensitivity of a material intended for practical use is one important aspect of safety
testing of explosives.
A variety of tests and indices are in use, of which one of the more common is the
Rotter Impact Test with results expressed as FoI (Figure of Insensitivity.) At least four
other impact tests are in common use, while various "gap tests" are used to measure
sensitivity to blast shock. Julius-Peters KG is a notable German company which
manufactures testing apparatus for these tests.

Sensitivities vary widely;

A few materials such as nitrogen triiodide cannot be touched at all
without detonating, and so are of purely academic interest. Some other compounds with
a high sensitivity to shock, such as nitroglycerin and acetone peroxide, may detonate
from a firm jolt and so cannot be legally transported in pure form. Acetone peroxide is
often used by amateurs and terrorists as a means to detonate other explosives as well as
acting as the main blasting agent, often resulting in injuries or death to those who
underestimate its sensitivity. A number of methods are known to desensitize
nitroglycerine so that it can be transported for medical uses, and it is also incorporated
into other less sensitive explosives, such as dynamites and gelignites.
Many practical commercial materials of intermediate sensitivity, such as gelignites
and water gel explosives, can be safely handled as they will not explode from casual
shocks such as being dropped or lightly knocked by a tool. However they may explode if
struck forcefully by a metal tool, and would certainly explode in the barrel if they were
used in an artillery shell. Reliable initiation of such materials requires the small explosion
of a detonator.
Still less sensitive materials such as blasting agents like ANFO, or shell fillings
like Composition B, are so insensitive that the impulse from the detonator must be
amplified by an explosive booster charge to secure reliable detonation. Some polymer
bonded explosives especially those based on TATB are designed for use
in insensitive munitions, which are unlikely to detonate even if struck by another
explosive weapon.
 Smallscale test to measure shock sensitivity with less than a half gram of sample
per test and six tests at most was developed. The goal is to screen new energetic
compositions before the need for costly scaleup. The concept merged aspects of the
SmallScale Shock Reactivity Test (SSRT) developed at IHDIV, NSWC with those of
standard gap tests. The SSRT measures the shock reactivity (explosiveness) of potentially
energetic materials, often wellbelow critical diameter, without requiring a transition to
detonation. Gap tests are used to gage shock sensitivity of explosives, but require a
sample size large enough for steady detonation. The new test arrangement combined
the shockattenuating gap before the sample and the air gap after the sample found in
gap tests with the small sample size and high confinement of the SSRT. The results for a
plasticbonded explosive formulated with either a regular or insensitive RDX confirmed
the difference in sensitivities observed in traditional gap tests. Also, the results gave
further confirmation to a twopart reaction mechanism for the insensitive RDX
formulation.

Sensitivity analysis (SA):

Sensitivity analysis (SA) is the study of how the uncertainty in the output of a
model (numerical or otherwise) can be apportioned to different sources of uncertainty in
the model input. A related practice is uncertainty analysis which focuses rather on
quantifying uncertainty in model output. Ideally, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
should be run in tandem.
In more general terms uncertainty and sensitivity analysis investigate the
robustness of a study when the study includes some form of statistical modelling.
Sensitivity analysis can be useful to computer modelers for a range of
purposes, including:
Support decision making or the development of recommendations for decision makers
(e.g. testing the robustness of a result);
Enhancing communication from modellers to decision makers (e.g. by making
recommendations more credible, understandable, compelling or persuasive);
Increased understanding or quantification of the system (e.g. understanding
relationships between input and output variables); and
Model development (e.g. searching for errors in the model).
Let us give an example: in any budgeting process there are always variables that are
uncertain. Future tax rates, interest rates, inflation rates, headcount, operating expenses
and other variables may not be known with great precision. Sensitivity analysis answers
the question, "if these variables deviate from expectations, what will the effect be (on
the business, model, system, or whatever is being analyzed)?"

SENSITIVITY TESTS:
The instruments for sensitivity tests are used to determine the most important
sensitivity (sensitiveness) properties of energetic materials, such as sensitivity to impact,
friction and electric spark (electrostatic discharge). These tests are required and applied
for safety characterization of all classes of explosive materials in different stages of their
life cycle. The offered instruments are designed to fulfill requirements of the respective
international standards of testing and to provide extra design features above and
beyond those requirements.

ESD 200A SMALL-SCALE ELECTROSTATIC SPARK SENSITIVITY TEST

Electrostatic discharge is one of the most frequent and the least characterized cause
of accidental explosions of energetic materials. To have reliable data on electrostatic
spark sensitiveness of energetic materials is thus critical imperative in their R&D,
manufacture, processing, loading or demilitarization.

ESD LS30-MIL LARGE- SCALE ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SENSITIVITY TEST

The tester simulates accidental ignition of large charges of energetic materials
(especially propellants) during manufacturing, processing, loading, or demilitarization by
intensive electrostatic discharge.

BFH-10 BAM FALL HAMMER IMPACT SENSITIVITY TEST

BAM fall hammer BFH serves for measuring impact sensitivity of solid high
explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics and also primary explosives.

FSKM 50-20K BAM FRICTION SENSITIVITY TEST

The FSKM friction tester is used for determination of friction sensitivity
(sensitiveness) of energetic materials and it is equipped with unique instrumental
detection of sample activation.
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