Small-scale explosivity testing

Abstract

In the area of energetic materials testing, correlation of small- and large-scale test results is a frequently sought and seldom achieved goal. We have experimented using the cartridge test to obtain a relative ranking of the explosivity of energetic materials. The cartridge test attempts to detonate a 2 gram sample of energetic material confined in a .303″ brass cartridge case with a number 8 blasting cap. Violence of an event was judged by the weight of the main body of the casing remaining attached to the base after detonation.