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November Meeting Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Speaker: J. Keith Butler American Ordinance LLC
Title: Military Explosives Place: UCO Edmond, OK
Reservations: Deadline: Monday, November 16, 5:00 pm Contact: Carla Supon (405) 974-5732 Printable Meeting Flyer (suitable for posting)
Abstract:
Many different explosive compounds exist but not all have practical applications. To be suitable for military use the explosive material must meet certain characteristics. These characteristics and the historical development from primitive weapons to modern non-nuclear military explosive weapons will be discussed. The study of military explosives is very broad, over 110 explosives are available to the ordnance engineer and the list is growing. Information will be presented about the chemistry and physics of the detonation process and the characteristics that make an explosive suitable for military use. Examples of explosive compounds from a variety of chemical classes will be given. The military classifies explosives based on their power and sensitivity. Functional ordnance utilizes this variation in properties to form an "explosive train". This process uses multiple explosive charges of differing sensitivities and powers to meet the needs of specific applications. This and the shaped charge effect will be explained and examples of their implementation in modern ordnance will be given. The presentation is a general survey and is suitable for a non-technical audience. Biography:
Mr. Butler received his B.S. in Chemistry from Union University in 1983 and his M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Memphis in 1987. He is the Chief Chemist for the Milan Army Ammunition Plant in Milan, Tennessee. He has over 20 years experience performing acceptance testing on components used to Load, Assemble, and Pack ammunition items for the US Army. In addition to his laboratory duties, he is a spill response team member, hazardous waste operator and has served as the plant Chemical Hygiene Officer. Mr. Butler has published notes in the Journal of Chemical Education. He is an adjunct professor of chemistry at Jackson State Community College teaching introductory and freshman chemistry. Mr. Butler sits on the Army’s Environmental Restoration Advisory Board for the Milan Army Ammunition Plant, twice serving as the community co-chair. He is also an active judge for the West Tennessee Regional Science Fair, an affiliate of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He is active in the American Chemical Society and was the 2007 Chair for the Kentucky Lake section. He was recently appointed to serve on the ACS Joint Board Council Committee on Public Relations and Communications. He is the Industrial Advisor to the Union University SAACS. Meeting Details:
Grilled hickory chicken, sliced BBQ brisket, pulled pork, ranch style beans, mini corn cob, cornbread with butter, potato salad, green salad, apple pie or peach cobbler, coffee and tea
$18 members
Directions:
Head north on I235, Broadway extension until it becomes the
Broadway surface road. Continue north to Second St. Turn right
on Second St. and continue past Boulevard to Garland Godfrey. Turn
left at Garland Godfrey, bear right, then turn right at Main and turn left
to enter the visitor parking lot on the east side of the Nigh University
Center. The Howell Hall Atrium is on the west side of the University
Center.
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