DE102010022983A1 - Two-shell explosive charge - Google Patents

Abstract

A two-shell blast active charge is proposed based on preferably compressed mixtures of inorganic fuels - plus possibly inorganic oxidizing agents - in combination with organic explosives (explosives or nitrocellulose) and possibly other additives with a mass of up to 1.0 kg and one Total charge diameter of up to 8 cm. The blast active charge consists of a centrally positioned splitter core and the explosive mixtures containing inorganic fuels or fuel granules arranged around it. The proposed blast active charge contains no perchlorates, in particular no ammonium perchlorate, and is particularly suitable for applications in infantry applications such as, for. B. hand grenades provided.

Description

The present invention relates to the use of fuel-containing (inorganic fuels) explosive mixtures in highly explosive dual-shell explosive charges, hereinafter also referred to as blast active charges, and their application primarily in infantry applications primarily to combat targets in the enclosed space.

The asymmetric conflicts that have been intensified in recent decades and their increasing shift to urban areas has led to new demands by the forces for adapted means of action and ammunition. In order to effectively combat targets in bunkers, field fortifications, cave systems or appropriately developed premises in urban environments, effective systems and ammunition are required, while at the same time avoiding collateral damage wherever possible to curb such scenarios, especially in urban environments ,

From the above, it follows that conventional splinter munitions based on high-explosive mixtures are increasingly being replaced by systems acting as selectively as possible, including new blast ammunitions, and should continue to be replaced. This applies in particular to infantry agents.

The blast performance of explosive charges are usually recorded in the form of the pressure pulse. In this case, an increase in the pressure pulse under given conditions (free field or enclosed space) can be achieved by increasing the peak pressure to be achieved, by a longer-term comparative but lower (lethal) peak pressure or a combination of both.

In addition to the variation of the explosives or Explosengstoffabmischungen to be used, a possible reduction of Inertstoffanteile (binder) or substitution of inert or low-energy binder components by high-energy binder components, an increase in performance can also be achieved by the addition of inorganic fuel components.

As a starting point for many such developments in the field of blast active charges blends of organic explosives or explosive mixtures with aluminum powder, as they have long been z. B. in the field of explosives for bombs, torpedoes u. Ä. to be used; literature known mixtures are z. Torpex, DBX, HBX.

The blends of conventional HE explosives or blends with inorganic fuels are referred to in terms of their oxygen balance as non-ideal explosives or explosives blends. This generic term also includes blends based on real or particulate gels, consisting of a liquid organic phase (LOP) and a mostly inorganic fuel.

Depending on the oxygen balance of the HE explosive or explosive mixture, the nature and quality of the inorganic fuel and the oxygen balance of the total mixture of HE explosive or explosive mixture and inorganic fuel, the blending of HE explosives or blasting mixtures with inorganic fuels to observe different blast effects.

In the wake of the demands for insensitive and / or performance-enhanced explosives and ammunition, numerous pourable, melt-castable, extrudable or compressible fuel-containing explosive mixtures have been developed in recent decades. Initially, the focus was mostly on blends of explosives with a tendency to lower fuel contents, since blends of such explosives generally also have a high splinter acceleration capability in appropriately designed ammunition. As an example, the blends of HE explosives or -Sprengstoffmischungen with aluminum are listed here. These are certainly among the most intensively theoretically as well as practically examined systems. An optionally derived from the explosion temperature of the reaction products thermal, pressure-enhancing effect for the system RDX-AI is for example the US 7,393,423 B2 refer to. Here, for the composition of a system comprising 19.5% by weight of aluminum and 80.5% by weight of RDX, a temperature maximum about 600 ° C. above the swath temperature of pure RDX is stated.

• – Literaturbekannte gießbare Mischungen sind u. a. PBXN-109 (Hexogen/Aluminium) und PBXW-114 (Oktogen/Aluminium).
• – Literaturbekannte verpressbare Mischungen, welche durch mechanisches Mischen von desensibilisierten Sprengstoffen mit Aluminiumpulver hergestellt werden: a) 70/30 Composition A3 (91/9 Hexogen/Wachs, mikrokristallin)/Aluminiumpulver; b) Hexal: 80/20 Hexogen (mit 5 Gew.-% Wachs)/Aluminiumpulver
• – Mit US 5,472,531 A wird eine extrudierbare und verpressbare Sprengstoffformulierung auf der Basis von Oktogen (40 Gew.-% bis 80 Gew.-%) und Aluminiumpulver (1 Gew.-% bis 40 Gew.-%) veröffentlicht. In der Sprengstoffformulierung wird CAB als Binder und eine 1:1-Mischung BDNPA und BDNPF als energetischer Weichmacher verwendet.
• – Mit WO 2005/108329 A1 wird eine verpressbare Sprengstoffformulierung auf der Basis von Hexogen oder Oktogen (45 Gew.-% bis 95 Gew.-%) und passiviertem Aluminiumpulver (5 Gew.-% bis 55 Gew.-%) vorgeschlagen. Als möglicher Binder wird ein Ethyl-/Butylacrylat-Copolymer in Verbindung mit Weichmachern wie Dioctyladipat, Dioctylsebacat und Isodecylperlagonat angeführt.

Below are some examples of explosive-aluminum mixtures listed as examples:

• Literature known castable mixtures include PBXN-109 (hexogen / aluminum) and PBXW-114 (octogen / aluminum).
• Known compressible mixtures prepared by mechanically blending desensitized explosives with aluminum powder: a) 70/30 Composition A3 (91/9 hexogen / wax, microcrystalline) / aluminum powder; b) Hexal: 80/20 hexogen (with 5 wt% wax) / aluminum powder
• - With US 5,472,531 A is an extrudable and compressible explosive formulation on the Base of octogen (40 wt .-% to 80 wt .-%) and aluminum powder (1 wt .-% to 40 wt .-%) published. In the explosive formulation, CAB is used as the binder and a 1: 1 mixture of BDNPA and BDNPF as the energetic plasticizer.
• - With WO 2005/108329 A1 For example, a compressible explosive formulation based on hexogen or octogen (45 wt.% to 95 wt.%) and passivated aluminum powder (5 wt.% to 55 wt.%) is proposed. A possible binder is an ethyl / butyl acrylate copolymer in conjunction with plasticizers such as dioctyl adipate, dioctyl sebacate and isodecyl perlagonate.

A variety of developments in the field of blast active charges aims at increasing the pressure pulse by high peak pressures. In the case of inorganic fuels, various investigations and developments for the use of so-called nanoscale powder qualities with particle diameters smaller than 1 μm are therefore carried out to accelerate the reactions. The problem of the reaction-inhibiting oxide layer of such powders (boron and many light metals) and the prevention of the passivation of reactive metal surfaces in the respective blends by appropriately upstream coating processes are well known.

By circumvention of the aforementioned problems with the DE 10 2006 030 678 B4 proposed explosive charge on the basis of red phosphorus (RP) as inorganic fuel is a blast active charge with very high pressure-volume work.

With a view to a depth effect (cave systems and the like) which can also be achieved at least partially around obstacles, the fuel-laden Blast active charges have increasingly become the focus of interest among the emergency services in recent years. One reason for this is certainly also the corresponding reports on the use of the Russian RPO-A, a shoulder-dumpable blast-charge on the basis of isopropyl nitrate / magnesium, in the Afghan war of the 1980s.

Another potential advantage of these active charges is that their blast effect depends more strongly on the inclusion conditions than is the case with less heavily imbalanced active masses, so that, for example, when using such active charges in MOUT scenarios, possibly with a reduced risk of collateral damage ( Lethal blast effect drops rapidly when leaving the enclosed space).

In addition to the variation of the compositions of explosively blended explosive fuel blends of different degrees, a blast effect to be achieved can also be achieved or intensified by a multi-shell structure. In the field of unguided or steered ejection ammunitions, etc. such systems are already common. These consist of a usually centrally located burster and initiation charge around which a fuel-containing secondary charge is arranged, which in turn may be surrounded by a shell of pressed fuel powder (with binding agent aggregates).

The central booster charge can be conventional HE explosives or explosive mixtures or mixtures thereof with inorganic fuels. The secondary charge may consist of a heavily under-exploited explosives active mass or of a pure fuel or fuel mixture, possibly with additional processing aids.

Some examples are z. B. the U.S. Patent 6,969,434 refer to. Here, the outer shells are pressed from granulated fuel-Oxidationsmittelabmischungen, in which then z. B. HE charges in the form of blends of explosives (RDX, HMX, CL-20), binders (HTPB, LMA ...), the above-mentioned fuel-oxidizing agent granules and optionally additional oxidizing agent (ammonium perchlorate) are poured.

According to literature z. B. integrated in the warhead of the air-ground missile AGM 114N MAC (Metal Augmented Charge) such a multi-shell charge.

in the U.S. Patent 6,955,732 is the fuels such. B. different aluminum qualities, possibly in admixture with magnesium, aluminum-magnesium alloy, titanium in admixture with boron, etc. basically ammonium perchlorate mixed as an oxidizing agent. As the binder used for the fuel-oxidant mixtures of Viton ^®, or nitrocellulose in amounts of from four to six percent by weight. In addition, the fuel-oxidizer blends may optionally contain an iron oxide catalyst as catalyst in amounts of about one weight percent.

According to the U.S. Patent 6,955,732 are analogous to the charge build up in US 6,969,434 Also multi-shelled granules from an inner HE core (HMX + binder) with Aufzagged metal composites (various inorganic fuels + ammonium perchlorate + binder + possibly plasticizer + possibly catalyst) proposed.

With the U.S. Patent 5,996,501 is a large-caliber bivalve charge with inverse structure (charge core of metal powder-containing non-ideal explosive mixture (diameter: 10 cm to approx. 30.5 cm) / outer shell made of a "classic" explosive mixture) is proposed as a pressure-boosting charge with simultaneously increased splinter acceleration capacity. The non-ideal explosive mixture of the charge core is composed of an explosive (TNT or RDX), aluminum powder, ammonium perchlorate and wax as a binder.

The examples of the patents explained above US 6,955,732 and US 6,969,434 are primarily suitable for use in cost-intensive large-caliber applications. Against the backdrop of costs alone, the widespread use of relatively expensive explosives such as octogen or even CL-20, or the nanoscale fuels and composites that are often not available in sufficient quantities, appears to be rather unlikely in the near future in smaller blast-free shipments.

The following statements on the present invention therefore expressly refer to small blast active charges, with the aim of a broader application in infantry applications (hand grenades, man-portable mortars, etc.). Therefore, as raw materials primarily common explosives or explosive mixtures and common fuel qualities are used.

In the field of infantry agents is so far only with EP 2 151 422 A2 the use of fuel-containing (RP) explosive formulations in the form of a hand grenade has been proposed. In continuation of the invention DE 10 2006 030 678 B4 are agents based on blends of explosives CL-20, HMX, RDX or TEX with red phosphorus (10 wt .-% to 80 wt .-%) for optional use as explosive charge (detonative implementation) or pyrotechnic fog (deflagrating implementation) mentioned. The mentioned high blast effect of these RP-containing explosive blends is the formation of phosphoric acid mist certainly given in a detonative implementation disadvantageous because of the forces especially in MOUT scenarios with short to very short deployment distances of a few meters more or less hindered.

The present invention is based on the idea on the basis of mixtures of inorganic fuels - plus possibly inorganic oxidants - in combination with organic explosives (explosives including nitrocellulose) compressible, two-shell explosive charges up to a mass of 1.0 kg and a total charge diameter of 8 cm to provide, which have primarily in the enclosed space a pressure impulse enhancing performance.

The blast active charges can consist of a uniform granulate (blends of inorganic fuels - plus possibly inorganic oxidants -, organic explosives, a binder or binder system and possibly other additives) or a mixture of a fuel granules - with possibly admixed inorganic oxidizing agents - an organic explosive mixture or conventional explosive granules are optionally pressed with the addition of graphite.

Reference to an embodiment with drawing, the idea will be explained in more detail. As an application example, a hand grenade is considered in more detail here. However, this is not restrictive, since applications are also possible with ammunition with blast effect.

The here proposed compressed blast active charges have a bivalve structure, consisting of a central, compressed HE-burster core 1 and the crushed, fuel-containing explosive mixture disposed thereover 2 on (compare the only figure). With 3 is a screw-in loading container, preferably made of plastic, wherein the screw cap a recess for receiving the of the clamshell charge 1 . 2 having spatially separated delay detonator unit. A rocker with igniter and the detonator unit bears the reference numeral 4 ,

The centrally located HE core burster core 1 may have a diameter of 8 mm to 50 mm and be composed of one or more compacts. The explosives mixture arranged around it 2 consists of one or more ring tablet pellets with a maximum diameter of 80 mm.

The HE core layer 1 can from a uniform granules (blending of organic explosives, a binder or binder system, optionally inorganic fuels and other additives, if necessary) from commercially available desensitized explosives (RDX or HMX) with the addition of graphite or fuel granules (up to 20 wt .-%) and graphite, etc. are pressed.

Those around the HE core 1 around arranged fuel-containing explosive mixture 2 may consist of a uniform, fuel-containing explosive granulate (eg according to the statements in WO 2005/108329 A1 or US 005472531 ) or pressed from a mechanically prepared mixture of a desensitized explosive (RDX or HMX) or stabilized nitrocellulose and a fuel granules optionally with the addition of graphite.

In connection with the blending of desensitized explosives with aluminum powder (eg Hexal or Composition A3 / Aluminum), the literature mentions the problem of the potential inhomogeneity of these mechanical blends and the associated performance variations. In the case of the inventively proposed use of mechanically produced Explosivstoffabmischungen here 2 the inorganic fuels - plus optionally inorganic oxidants - in the form of granules, which preferably have a particle size of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm used. As a result, mechanical production of the explosive mixtures according to the invention is ensured in satisfactory homogeneity.

With a view to changing application scenarios (multirollability), the performance or proposed here Blast active charges in the open field by constructive and / or chemical variation of the same as at least comparable or better with the same dimensioned, classic explosive charges, as z. B. used in hand grenades can be adjusted. This requirement meet gelartige effective charges without explosives surcharges z. B. on the basis of isopropyl nitrate usually not.

In view of ongoing discussions regarding possible health-damaging environmental damage caused by perchlorate-contaminated groundwaters, the mixtures of inorganic fuels proposed here in connection with organic explosives are basically free from perchlorate. This is especially true for ammonium perchlorate, which in addition to a high water solubility also has the disadvantage, for. B. in pyrotechnic sentences to increase the friction and impact sensitivity of the same and thus runs counter to any requirements regarding the insensitivity of HE combat munitions. The last point is important in that the reasons for the often required splinter reduction / fragment freedom in the ammunition to be made available on possibly IM-functional strong-walled shells must be waived.

With regard to a depth effect to be achieved in the enclosed space are the explosive mixtures proposed here 2 fuel-rich and have fuel or Brennstoffgranulatanteile - including any additions of inorganic oxidizing agents - from 31 wt .-% to 72 wt .-%, but preferably from 56 wt .-% to 65 wt .-% to.

The proposed mixtures of inorganic fuels and organic explosives contain from two to 15 percent by weight of one or more binders or a binder system and optionally further additives with a total of up to seven percent by weight.

Wax and / or the mixture known by the name of Viton are preferably used as binders, but the use of other binder or binder systems is expressly not excluded hereby.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7393423 B2 [0009]
• US 5472531 A [0010]
• WO 2005/108329 A1 [0010, 0031]
• DE 102006030678 B4 [0012, 0024]
• US 6969434 [0017, 0020, 0022]
• US 6955732 [0019, 0020, 0022]
• US 5996501 [0021]
• EP 2151422 A2 [0024]
• US 005472531 [0031]

Claims (24)

Two-layer blast active charge on the basis of preferably compressed blends of inorganic fuels - plus possibly inorganic oxidants - in combination with organic explosives (explosives or nitrocellulose) and possibly other aggregates with a mass of up to 1.0 kg and a total charge diameter of up to 8 cm. Two-blast blast active charge according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a centrally arranged HE-burster core ( 1 ) and a surrounding, preferably compressed fuel-containing explosive mixture ( 2 ) consists. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the centrally arranged HE-burster core ( 1 ) has a diameter between 8 m and 50 mm. Two-layered blast active charge according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the HE burster core ( 1 ) from a desensitized explosive or a - compared to the arranged around it explosives mixture ( 2 ) - fuel-reduced explosive mixture containing explosives. Two-blast blast active charge according to claim 4, characterized in that the HE burster core ( 1 ) consists of a single granule or a mixture of a fuel granules and a conventional explosive granules optionally with the addition of graphite. Two-blast blast active charge according to claim 4, characterized in that the HE burster core ( 1 ) of a desensitivierten explosive granules, which preferably hexogen and / or octogen as explosive component, wax and / or viton as a binder and possibly graphite contains as a further component is pressed. Two-layer blast active charge according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the HE core core ( 1 ) in addition to the desensitivierten explosive up to 20 wt .-% of an inorganic fuel granules. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the preferably compressed, fuel-containing explosive mixture ( 2 ) of a uniform granules (mixing of inorganic fuels - plus possibly inorganic oxidizing agents -, organic explosives, a binder or binder system and possibly further additives) or a mixture of a fuel granules and an organic explosive mixture or desensitivierten explosive optionally with the addition of Graphite exists. Two-blast blast active charge according to claim 8, characterized in that the preferably compressed, fuel-containing explosive mixture ( 2 ) has a fuel content or fuel granulate content of 31 wt .-% to 72 wt .-%, but preferably from 56 wt .-% to 65 wt .-%. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the inorganic fuels contained therein different qualities of the elements aluminum, boron, magnesium, titanium and zirconium and alloys and mixtures thereof in amounts of 0 wt .-% to 35 % By weight ( 1 ) or in amounts of from 15% by weight to 65% by weight ( 2 ). Two-blast blast active charge according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the inorganic oxidizing agents contained therein are derived from the groups of nitrates, oxides or peroxides and are present in amounts of from 0% by weight to 30% by weight ( 2 ) are included. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the organic explosives contained therein different grades of nitrocellulose or the explosives RDX or HMX or blends thereof in amounts of 28 wt .-% to 69 wt .-% ( 2 ), but without explicitly excluding other organic explosives or explosives. Two-layered blast active charge according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the HE core core ( 1 ) or the preferably compressed, fuel-containing explosive mixture ( 2 ) contains one or more binders or a binder system in amounts of from 2% by weight to 15% by weight. Two-blast blast active charge according to claim 13, characterized in that the binder (s) is / are preferably a chlorinated rubber, PVB, PVC, Viton or wax, but without explicitly excluding further binder or binder systems. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the optionally used aggregates with a total of up to 7 wt .-%, inter alia different grades of graphite, and / or a plasticizer or a mixture of plasticizers from the group of organic phosphoric acid esters, adipates or phthalates and / or an additional auxiliary binder or auxiliary binder mixture from the group of organic titanates. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the fuel granules recited in claims 5, 7 to 9 consist of one of the elemental fuels listed in claim 10 and their alloys or blends in amounts of 17% by weight. to 96 wt .-%, one or more inorganic oxidizing agents according to claim 11 in amounts of 0 wt .-% to 82 wt .-%, a binder or binder system according to claim 14 in amounts of 2 wt .-% to 15 wt. % and possibly other additives according to claim 15 exist. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the fuel granules recited in claims 5, 7 to 9, and 16 have a particle size of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm. Two-blast blast active charge according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the fuel granules recited in claim 5 can also have a particle size of less than 0.2 mm. Ammunition in the form of hand grenades, characterized in that they contain a blast active charge according to claims 1 to 18. Submunition in the form of a cylindrical body adaptable to modular hand grenade systems on the ground, characterized in that they contain a blast active charge according to claims 1 to 18. Ammunition in the form of modular hand grenades, characterized in that they consist of a body with rocker detonator and deceleration detonator unit (conventional offensive HGr), wherein the main body of the HE burster core of a blast active charge according to claims 1 to 7, 10 and 13 until 18 forms. An attachable body which can be pushed onto this base body contains a compressed fuel-containing explosive filling according to claims 1, 2, 4 and 8 to 18 and together forms a blast active charge according to claims 1 to 18. Ammunition in the form of mortar or launcher grenades, characterized in that they contain a blast active charge according to claims 1 to 18. Ammunitions in which blast active charges according to claims 1 to 18 are integrated as submunitions or partial charges. 40 mm ammunition, characterized in that in this a compressed single-shell explosive charge, which consists of a mechanical blend of 80 wt .-% of a desensitivierten explosive and 19 wt .-% to 20 wt .-% of a fuel granulate according to claim 16 with a grain size smaller than 0.2 mm, if necessary with the addition of up to one percent by weight of graphite.

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