O-214 MSIAC Workshop 2020 Defects - Causes, Classification and Criticality

Defects in energetic materials or in other materials used in munitions systems are often a cause for concern. This includes voids, cracks, and foreign materials, as well as chemical, physical and or mechanical properties that are outside design tolerance specifications. Defects in energetic materials are common and can have a significant impact on the safety and reliability of the munition, yet guidance and understanding on how to assess and sentence defects is often limited.

MSIAC are hosting a workshop intended to bring together stakeholders including munition designers, safety authorities and test personnel to develop a methodology by which we can approach the problem of defects. This will include the way in which we draw upon various sources of information to inform decisions with respect to the criticality of defects and the sentencing of munitions. The workshop will seek to achieve the following goals:

This paper presents how MSIAC plans to achieve these goals. MSIAC seeks the support of the community to provide feedback on proposals, aid in the preparation of the workshop, and finally to participate in the workshop in June 2020.