Electrically heated tube test of MCX-6100 - EMTAP 42 Test

The EMTAP 42 tube test electrically heated has been performed with three different heating rates during the STANAG 4170 qualification of MCX-6100. With a heating rate of 300oC per hour the tube opens up after 39 minutes at a temperature of 162.7oC in the centre of the filling. The reaction is a burn or degree 1 response. With a heating rate of 60oC per hour the tube reacts after 168 minutes with a temperature of 194.9oC in the filling. The reaction gives six fragments from the tube body. The response is a deflagration or degree 2 reaction. With a heating rate of 10oC per hour the tube reacts after 906 minutes with a temperature of 200.3oC in the filling. Eight fragments from the tube body were recovered. The temperature measurement in the filling shows a strong exothermic reaction taking place before it reacts. At the event temperature the temperature inside the explosive filling is 30oC higher than on the outside tube surface. The response is a deflagration or degree 2 reaction. The achieved results all show mild reactions for all heating rates. One can therefore expect that live munitions containing MCX-6100 has the potential to fulfill the IM requirements when facing the slow heating threat.