Design Guide: Explosive Bolt

Definiton:

Explosive Bolt: An explosive output charge within the center bore of the bolt, provides the energetic stimulus required to fracture the bolt. Explosive gases are vented.

Standard Explosive Bolt: enough explosive charge to fracture bolt

Ridge-Cut Bolt: employ shock wave mechanics to realize reduced shrapnel generation

Design Guide:

Configuration - Envelope

• Thread Size
• Initiation Type
• Overall Length
• Total Mass
• Material
• Hex Size
• Break Location
• Break Strength
• Detonation Means
• Non Detonation Means
• Electrical
• Non Electrical

Booster Charge

• Pyrotechnics
• Propellants
• (Non Detonating)

Environment Capabilities

• Max Temperature
• Min Temperature
• Max Shock Levels
• Max Vibration Levels
• Acceleration Limit
• Max Storage Temperature
• Salt Fog & Humidity

Ignition Considerations

• Firing Current (AC-DC)
• Constant Current
• Capacitance Discharge
• Low Voltage Ignition
• High Voltage Ignition
• Explosive Transfer Lines
• SMDC, FCDC (detonating end tips)

Electric Properties

• Insulation Resistance
• Dielectric Withstanding Voltage
• Circuit Resistance
• ESD Protections

Performance Characteristics

• Fragmenting Break Plane
• Rigid Cut Break Plane
• Multiple Break Planes
• Clean Separation

Output Charge

• Secondary High Explosives
• Examples: RDX, HMX, HNS, PETN
• (Detonating)

Output Charge

• Primary High Explosives
• Lead Azide
• DBX
• (Deflagration to Detonation)

Common Design Criteria and Test Method Defining Documents:

Applications:

• Standard Missile 3
• Range Extending Munitions Aero Packages
• Solid Rocket Booster and Main Tank Separation for the NASA Shuttle
• Parachute Deployment and Mechanism Release for Weapon Systems
• Helicopter Emergency Release

For more information visit:

https://psemc.com/products/explosive-bolts-sep-bolts/