Explosives Research

At CERL, we have one of the best-equipped thermal laboratories in Canada and a staff with a broad range of explosives research experience. The primary goal of our Explosives Research Group is to conduct research and development to improve the safe use of energetic materials in Canada.

Services

We offer the following services on a contract basis:

Thermal Hazard Evaluation
Thermal Characterization
Literature Surveys

ASTM Tests

The Explosives Research Group is actively involved in standards work, notably the ASTM E-27 and E-37 committees.

The following tests are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada under ISO/IEC Guide 17025:

• ASTM E537 Assessing the Thermal Stability of Chemicals by Methods of Differential Thermal Analysis;
• ASTM E793 Heat of Fusion and Crystallization by Differential Scanning Calorimetry;
• ASTM E794 Melting and Crystallization Temperatures by Differential Scanning Calorimetry;
• ASTM E1981 Assessing the Thermal Stability of Materials by Methods of Accelerating Rate Calorimetry.

In addition, the Explosives Research Group can carry out non-standard tests at the request of clients. We design experiments to solve a wide variety of thermochemical problems.

Thermal Techniques

Thermal techniques used by the Explosives Research Group include:

• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using TA Instruments Model Q1000, including high-pressure (up to 7 MPa) and subambient temperature (to -90°C);
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) using TA Instruments High-Resolution Model Q500;
• Simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis - differential thermal analysis (TA Instruments SDT 2960 Simultaneous TG-DTA) with evolved gas analysis by mass spectrometer (MS, Balzers Thermostar GSD300 Quadrupole) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer (Bomem MB100);
• Accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) - 3 units;
• Setaram C80 heat flux calorimetry (HFC) with pressure system up to 70 MPa;
• Adiabatic Dewar Calorimetry;
• Minimum Burning Pressure System;
• Isothermal nanocalorimeter (Calorimetry Sciences Corporation Model 4500).

Clients

Our client base is truly international and includes commercial explosives manufacturers, fireworks manufacturers, mining companies, the defence industry, and the chemicals industry, as well as government departments.

Contact

Dr. Richard Turcotte
Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory
Minerals and Metals Sector
Natural Resources Canada
555 Booth Street, BCC # 12
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G1

Tel.: 613-996-5130
Fax: 613-995-1230
E-mail: richard.turcotte@nrcan.gc.ca

Last Updated: 2006-06-28

Important Notices

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