Jackhammers, Polymers, and Diamonds: New Applications

in Explosives

Dr. Christa Hockensmith

Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center,

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology,

Socorro, NM 87801

Explosives• What is an explosive?

• An explosion releases enormous amounts of energy from a chemical reaction of explosive materials.

• The power of an explosion comes from the extremely short amount of time (~1/100 second or less) during which heat and gas are generated.

• Characteristics:• Exothermic reaction• Extremely high temperatures• Extremely high pressures• Blast or pressure wave present…the damaging agent

The Impact of Explosive Energy at 0 ms and after 19 ms to a cinder block wall

protected with a steel plate

John E. Crawford, Karagozian & Case, USA and Shengrui Lan, Karagozian & Case, USADESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING BLAST RESISTANCE OF BUILDINGSEnhancing Building Security Seminar, March 23, 2005, Singapore

Test 6 Interior_full.wmv

Uses of Explosives

• 1. the usual…munitions, bombs,

fireworks, explosive materials for

the military, mining, excavations,

roads, demolitions, etc.

• 2. the unusual…power tools, diamonds,

polymeric tools, the untested ideas.

• 3. let’s look at them one at a time:

Explosive-assisted Tools

• 1. Many tools are powered with hydraulic fluids or compressed air.

• 2. Therefore, compressors and fluid lines must be available at the site where the tools are used.

• 3. Explosive cartridges can be used to power the tools (create pressure so the tool functions) eliminating compressors and fluid lines.

• 4. Tools then have mobility not previously available.

Schematic for Explosive-powered Jack Hammer

Other Explosive-powered Tools

• 1. nail guns, on-site machining tools, spray guns, chipping tools,and various other tools ordinarily powered with air or fluids.

• 2. explosive-powered toolscan also be used to giveeasier access to inaccessible, recreation or search sites.• 3. An explosive-powered pininsertion tool could be used in rock climbing or rescueoperations.

Production of Industrial Diamonds

• Almost 220,000 lb are synthesized annually for use as abrasives, cutting edges, in grinding wheels, and in the mining industry (drill bits).

Industrial Diamond Production with Explosives

• 1. A canister is packed with carbon and enclosed with explosives at the manufacturer’s facility…diamonds are naturally formed by pressure and heat.

• 2. The pressure wave and heat from the explosion creates the pressure and temperature needed to produce industrial diamonds.

• 3. The canister explosives are detonated with explosives on the exterior of the canister.

• 4. The canister containing reacted carbon is shipped unopened to the manufacturer and new canisters are received.

Explosive-aided Polymers

• 1. polymeric materials are used as a coating around other chemicals that are to be delivered during a manufacturing process.

• 2. a small explosive charge ruptures the polymeric exterior coating freeing the chemicals for delivery at the appropriate place and time.

• 3. polymeric coating protects the deliverables and increases shelf life during storage.

More Explosive-aided Polymers• 1. Medical supplies such as electrolytes and nutritional

supplements in solution are packaged in plastic containers.

• 2. Shipping, handling, and heat may deform the containers.

• 3. A small explosive charge can create enough inert gas to reshape the container.

• 4. A filter prevents contamination of medical solutions.

• 5. Inert gas prevents leakage, loss of sterility, and decreases the amount of polymer necessary for container manufacture.

The Untried and Untested

• 1. A very large explosive detonation can create industrial diamonds. What about small detonations?

• 2. Very small detonations could destroy tumors…except many tumors have high vascularization.

• 3. Small detonations that implode rather than explode the tumor may prevent uncontrolled bleeding and the body will clear the debris.

• 4. Even smaller detonations may clear plugged arteries and blood vessels without running balloons through those vessels.

The Untried and Untested• 5. Partial inflation of devices such as life rafts,

automobile air bags, parachutes, etc. for testing and repair.

• 6. Single detonations of these devices partially inflate

and multiple detonations fully inflate.

• 7. Small tab attached to food trays or popcorn bags is pulled and detonates explosive lining in bag or tray. Food is cooked/warmed as necessary for serving without chemical reactions that leave waste chemicals behind.

EMRTC Thanks you for your Attention

• Please visit us at www.emrtc.nmt.edu

• We are sponsoring an Explosives Camp for students 16 years and older June 21-27, 2009. Please contact us for more information on this program:

• explosivescamp@emrtc.nmt.edu

• 575-835-5348 or 5492