The Microstructural Response of Polymer Bonded Explosives to One-Dimensional Shock Loading

The initiation of explosives by one-dimensional compressive shock waves is a process that involves physics and chemistry over short (microsecond) timescales and small (micron) length scales. Study is required to improve the current understanding of the elements of this process, their relative importance, and the order in which they take place.

This projects builds on an established technique that has been used to study metals, that required very high precision target assemblies to be made. One experimental challenge for this project will be to produce similar levels of dimensional precision in purely explosive targets.

In addition to better reliability and safety, this area of study offers a rich area of novel research. Research in this field is of intense interest both in the UK and USA, and the successful candidate could potentially develop collaborative relationships with UK and US laboratories.