A holistic approach directed toward Inbore Explosions with Composition B

Inbore explosions are related to the brittle nature of Composition B and the existence of a critical flaw in the casting. Catastrophic brittle failure at the flaw, as a result of the setback loading of launch, produces a localized hot spot capable of initiating burning in the thermally sensitive explosive. The time involved for this hot spot ignition coupled with the rate of reaction of the explosive represents a time period sufficient for the rupture pressure of the projectile to be reached before the projcctilc exits the gun barrel. Small improvements made to each of four Composition B factors: cast quality, mechanical stability, ignitability, and reaction rate, should inhibit the critical progression that culminates in an inbore explosion. The resulting compounded improvement will delay this inbore explosion process sufficiently to allow the projectile to exit the muzzle, and travel down range before its rupturc pressure is exceeded and it explodes.