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Jackhammers, Polymers, and Diamonds: New Applications in Explosives

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?

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Jackhammers, Polymers, and Diamonds: New Applications in Explosives

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. The Impact of Explosive Energy at 0 ms and after 19 ms to a cinder block wallprotected 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 BUILDINGS Enhancing Building Security Seminar, March 23, 2005, Singapore

  4. 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:

  5. 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.

  6. Schematic for Explosive-powered Jack Hammer

  7. 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 tools can also be used to give easier access to inaccessible, recreation or search sites. • 3. An explosive-powered pin insertion tool could be used in rock climbing or rescue operations.

  8. 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).

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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

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