Radiography of the pre-ignition thermal decomposition of Energetic Materials

We have designed a small scale radiography experiment to image the density evolution of energetic materials during heating to ignition. The signal to noise of the system allows for sensitivity on the order of 1{\%} change in density. We have used this apparatus to study the density evolution in several different HMX and RDX based formulations and can watch phase transitions and material flow. During the final seconds leading up to the ignition event, the loss of solid density can be observed. A summary of results to date will be presented.