In early antitank weapons, copper was used as a liner material. Later, in the 1970s, it was found tantalum is superior to copper, due to its much higher density and very high ductility at high strain rates.
How do shaped charges work?
A shaped charge is a concave metal hemisphere or cone (known as a liner) backed by a high explosive, all in a steel or aluminum casing. A detonator is activated to initiate the explosive material to generate a detonation wave. This wave collapses the liner and a high velocity metallic jet is formed.
What does a shaped charge look like?
A shaped charge is usually a conical shape, as shown in Fig. 25.3. The explosive charge is often contained in a plastic tube whose upper part looks like a cylinder and whose lower part ends at a cone of metallic liner. The liner material may be steel, aluminum, copper, and other metallic materials.
What is hollow charge effect?
: an explosive which concentrates its force in one direction (as in a projectile designed to blow a hole through armor plate)
Who invented shaped charges?
Henry Mohaupt
Shaped charge warheads were promoted internationally by the Swiss inventor Henry Mohaupt, who exhibited the weapon before World War II. Before 1939, Mohaupt demonstrated his invention to British and French ordnance authorities.
Do shaped charges work underwater?
(3)The annular-shaped charge can penetrate the underwater target and create a large opening on the target. The penetrating diameter on the front plate was 420 mm, which is 1.4 times of the charge diameter.
What are the 3 categories of high explosives?
High explosives are divided into three main categories, Primary (or Initiating) High Explosives, Secondary High Explosives, Boosters and Secondary High Explosives, Main Charge. As with many of the terms associated with explosions, there is also other terms that describe combustion explosions, “Deflagration Explosion”.
What is a cratering charge?
A charge placed at an adequate depth to produce a crater. Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.
What does Hesh stand for?
High-explosive squash head
High-explosive squash head (HESH), or less commonly known as high-explosive plastic (HEP) is a type of explosive projectile which utilizes a plastic explosive that conforms to the surface of a target before detonating to improve the transfer of explosive energy to the target.
Are HEAT rounds still used?
Improvements to the armor of main battle tanks have reduced the usefulness of HEAT warheads by making effective man portable HEAT missiles heavier, although many of the world’s armies continue to carry man-portable HEAT rocket launchers for use against vehicles and bunkers.
What is a linear shaped charge?
AES Linear Shaped Charge (LSC) is an explosive enclosed in a seamless metal sheath and fabricated in continuous lengths shaped in the form of an inverted “V”. When detonated, the V-shaped metal liner with explosive core produces a uniform linear cutting action.
Which explosive has maximum strength?
Straight Dynamite – Nitroglycerin in an absorbent, with velocities between 10,000 and 20,000 feet per second. This dynamite is the most sensitive of all commercial explosives. The weight strength is the actual percentage of nitroglycerin in the cartridge.
