Technological Problems Encountered During the Elaboration of a Warhead component with a diaphragm

This paper presents a method for pressing a small shaped piece with a diaphragm made from light inertial material, intended for use as a tandem shaped charge principal warhead. The general requirements for the pressing moulds are shown. The pressing method for the small shaped piece is described with the use of the high explosive OKFOL. It concerns the pressed explosive mass, the method of mould lubrication, pressing pressure, the number of pressing steps, the method of removal of the pressed small shaped piece from the mould, and the proportions of the granulated to crushed OKFOL and its density after pressing. Very high, measured densities of the pressed OKFOL in the small shaped piece at different cross-sections (bottom − top of the shaped piece) 1.761-1.813 g/cm3, i.e. (95.5-98.3)% of the calculated theoretical density of 1.84 g/cm3 were obtained for the explosive with a phlegmatizer content of 3.6%. During the trials the following damage can occur: cracking along the side of the cone, breaking off of some of the cylinder surface, breaking away of the shaped piece bottom during extraction. The accuracy of the shaped pieces produced, particularly their coaxiality, ensured the proper function of the tandem shaped charge warhead.