Numerical simulation of impact initiation of a matchhead composition for different in-process contact materials

In the processing of matchhead composition accidental initiation due to the interaction of different materials, even at low velocity, leads to fire and explosions. Experimental investigation of these transient events is expensive and time-consuming, and nowadays the use of numerical approaches is on the increase. In this study, the influence of different types of contact materials and their surface roughness, on initiation of a matchhead composition by impact load was analysed using LS-DYNA®. The results demonstrated that the contact materials and their surface roughness imparted variations in initiation time histories, critical load and peak pressure of the matchhead composition. However, the initiation response of the matchhead composition was quicker in case of steel–steel anvil combinations as compared to those of aluminium–aluminium combinations. For the first time, the numerical investigation identified a new value of peak over pressure called critical pressure which initiated the matchhead composition at the minimum impact load. The results when compared with the experimental results to validate the numerical approach matched well. It is suggested that the computational approach can be used as an alternative tool to predict impact initiation parameters of an energetic compound.