If you are unfamiliar with initiators, when you hear the phrase "exploding-bridgewire" you may picture a bridge blowing up and the hero running away from it in the nick of time, like an action movie cliché. But these devices are not about “burning bridges” like the demo video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwc2rVX2Jkw Exploding-bridgewires (EBW's) have a slug/header … Continue reading Exploding-Bridgewire
Primers, or Primary High Explosives, are super sensitive explosives that do not take much to be initiated. Typical primer mixes contain lead styphnate, lead (II) azide, tetracene, mercury fulminate, or an antimony-sulfide mixture, and a grit which further sensitizes the mix when crushed by compression. [1] Primary explosives are often a heavy metal attached to an … Continue reading Primers
What are shockwaves? Let's start with shock. Shock, in mechanics, is an abrupt change of acceleration. I'm talking zero to sixty (or sixty to zero) in ZERO seconds. Think of jumping off a ledge, and landing on your feet with your legs straight. Ouch. When jumping from a height and landing on your feet with … Continue reading Shockwaves
Black Powder Where to begin with explosives? Well, I thought it made sense to start with Black Powder, the ultimate fore father of all things that bang and pop. Black powder is mix between charcoal, saltpeter, and sulfur, and was estimated to be invented in China around the 9th century. I know this because I … Continue reading Black Powder
It Goes Boom 