Time-to-explosion thermal initiation test for explosives

A controlled series of experiments have been performed in an attempt to evaluate the Henkin time-to-explosion test as a reactivity test and a quality assurance tool. This was done by comparing the Henkin results with those obtained with the presently used gas chromatograph chemical reactivity test, Two explosives, PBX 9404 and LX-04-1, were tested with four ``inerts``: sodium chloride, lead powder, Silastic Q-300030 and epoxy 633111. The experimental data from the two tests are given; a method for mathematically reducing the Henkin data is considered. The data from the two tests are not in complete agreement. Both predict that the epoxy is reactive with and that NaCl is unreactive with both explosives. However, the Henkin data indicated reactivity of lead powder and Silastic with LX-04-1; the gas chromatograph did not. For PBX 9404, the Henkin test indicated that the lead was borderline reactive and the Silastic unreactive, while the gas chromatograph predicted the opposite. DTA thermograms are included to help interpret the comparison test results. A section in the appendix is devoted to the experimental problems encountered in getting the Henkin test operational. All raw data generated during that time are included in the appendix. In addition, data obtained subsequently with a fairly wide variety of explosives (and propellants) are given; these indicate the present quality of data