The Influence of Al₁₂Mg₁₇ Compound Concentration in High‐Energy Mixtures on Thermobaric Systems Characteristics

ABSTRACT The influence of the concentration of Al 12 Mg 17 intermetallic compound in high‐energy mixtures (HEMs) on the performances of thermobaric (TB) systems is investigated. Thermobaric charges based on HEM pressed around the high explosive core were detonated in the open area. The pressure measurements of TB and trinitrotoluene reference charges were performed using eight pressure transducers placed around the horizontally positioned charge. A high‐speed camera and image processing technique were used to record a fireball evolution and quantify fireball characteristics. The highest values of overpressure peak and positive phase pressure impulse were obtained for HEM with 37 wt.% of Al 12 Mg 17 content. The fireball image analysis shows satisfactory fireball surface area and duration time for HEM with 37 wt.% of Al 12 Mg 17 .