Work

Thermo-mechanical coupling in high-speed RDX collisions: How plasticity triggers hotspot formation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores the thermo-mechanical coupling mechanism of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine particles during high-speed collisions by combining molecular dynamics simulations and an analytical model, with a focus on elucidating how plastic deformation triggers hotspot formation. Analytical models of particle collisions with varying sizes and velocities were established to analyze the evolution of contact forces and temperature increase during the collision process. Both numerical and analytical results demonstrate that plastic deformation is a key factor that leads to the localized temperature rise, featured by a universal correlation between the proportion of atoms in severely plastic deformed regions and high-temperature atoms, clarifying the quantitative relationship between plasticity and heating. Furthermore, the analysis of C–N bond evolution reveals how collision-induced plasticity initiates the potential chemical decomposition. This research provides a critical foundation for understanding mechanical–thermal transition during high-speed collisions of energetic materials.

Source: Journal of Applied Physics

DOI: 10.1063/5.0296358

Authors: Siyi Wang, Jianqiao Hu, Li Yu, Huajie Song, Lihong Liang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Mechanics, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics

Language: English

Topic: Energetic Materials and Combustion

Subfield: Mechanics of Materials

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences