Sensitivity of explosive materials to the action of electromagnetic fields

Abstract

The analysis was done to define the most common methods of detection and disposal of explo sive objects. According to the principle of their operation, the methods were subdivided into 4 classes. It was established that physical methods are the most effective, and most of them are based on the use of electromagnetic waves with various parameters. To define the degree of effect of electromagnetic waves on explosive materials it was reasonable to study their electromagnetic properties. It is shown that the main parameter that quantitatively characterizes the degree of sensitivity of explosive materials to the action of electromagnetic fields is the dipole moment of their molecules. The molecular structure of the most common explosive materials, in particular hexogen, pentaerythritol tetranitrate and trinitro toluene, tetryl, lead trinitroresorcinate, mercuryfulminate and lead azide has been analyzed. It is shown that the molecules of these substances have a two-dimensional structure, while the molecules of hex ogen, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and mercury fulminate are symmetrical. It corresponds to the absence of a dipole moment in such molecules. The dipole moments of asymmetric molecules of trinitrotoluene, tetryl, lead trinitroresorcinate, and lead azide were calculated using the method of adding force vectors of dipole moments of interatomic bonds. The calculated data showed that the dipole moments of these substances are significant, so the electromagnetic influence on the activation of these explosive materi als cannot be neglected. Partially, the high values of the dipole moments of trinitrotoluene (µ(C7H5N3O6)=2,55 D) and tetryl (µ(C7H5N5O8)=9,27 D) can be explained by an increased number of asymmetric bonds with nitrogen that has a high electronegativity. The obtained data can be used for the development of the safety algorithms to provide a safe work of the rescuers during demining of the ter ritory and when using the devices of an active electromagnetic action in order to prevent the uncon trolled detonation of explosive objects.