When thin flyer plates are used to shock initiate high explosive (HE any air present ahead of the ofplastic flyers faced with metal films is analyzed here with MACRAME, a code which calculates wave interactions and traces wave propagation. We find that the second air shock into the HE has sufficient pressure to collapse the HE to crystal density or higher. Precompressed regions of HE do not react rapidly when the main impact pulse does arrive. Define y* as the depth where the major shock

more »

... es the precompression wave (for no air y* + 0). For various flyers and air combinations, we compare pressure profiles at y = y* + E . The shock pressure profile associated with metal film impact may be greatly attenuated at the depth y*. Density profiles ( p ( t ) at y) show that the shock heating for y > y* is greater than that for y < y*. fl er may cause a significant desensitization of the HE. The effect o f t k e air in cushioning the impact DISCLAIMER This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency there& nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product. or process disclosed. or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any spccific commercial product, procw, or service by trade name, trademark manufacturer, or otherwise docs not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, mommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors cxprcssed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.