Influence of explosive density on mechanical properties of high manganese steel explosion hardened

The explosion hardening tests of high manganese steel were carried out by using two kinds of explosives of the same composition but different density, respectively. The detonation velocities were tested and the relevant mechanical properties were studied. The results show that the stronger single impulse acting on the specimen, the more hardness of surface increases and the more impact toughness decreases. Compared with the explosive of 1.48 g/cm(3) density, the hardness, elongation rate, and impact toughness of the sample for triple explosion with explosive of 1.38 g/cm(3) density are larger at the same hardening depth. In addition, the tensile strength of the sample for triple explosion with density of 1.38 g/cm(3) is higher from the surface to 15 mm below the surface hardened. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.