Propellants Explosives Pyrotechnics, Vol.41, No.5, 870-874, 2016
High Safety and Reliability Electric Detonator
The entry into force of the REACH regulation implies a modification of the low-cost detonators manufacturing by finding new substances to replace common primary explosives that contain restricted chemicals. Herein, an alternative solution with a two-stage electric detonator that contains only secondary high explosive is proposed. It is based on a two steps process, first a combustion, then a shock to detonation transition. This initiator shows high safety level and is compliant with the STANAGs and the REACH regulation. Contrarily to the EBW detonators, it can be initiated using low voltage and low current. Power supply system can be therefore very compact that is of great advantage for designing pyrotechnical train that have to be integrated into small pyrotechnical mechanisms.