A dilatometer for determining the cubical thermal expansion of solids and applicable for high explosives and propellants.

Abstract

The need for a semi-precision dilatometer to determine the coefficient of cubical thermal expansion directly from production-lot samples of solid explosives and propellants has become evident in view of critical dimensions and greater operating-temperature ranges of these materials. The dilatometer is fabricated from glassware and operates on the principle of displacing a volume of mercury in a capillary tube. Operating procedures for the dilatometer are set forth in detail and are applicable to all solids, including high explosives and propellants. The writer wishes to express his appreciation for the assistance and initial direction given him by Dr. C. D. Lind and personnel of the Explosives Division, U. S. Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California,