Experimental investigation on the impact sensitivity of a match head composition influenced by the surface roughness of in-process contact materials

This study is aimed to investigate the influence of contact materials and their surface roughness on impact sensitivity of a match head composition. It was found that there were variations to the impact sensitivity, ranging from 2 to 14.7 J. The sensitivity response was quicker in case of steel–steel anvil combinations than with aluminium–aluminium anvil and brass–brass anvil combinations. The match head composition was found to be highly hazardous at the surface roughness values of 1.67, 1.80, and 1.60 μm for steel, aluminium and brass material surfaces, respectively. Such data are not available hitherto.

► Impact sensitivity of the match head composition is an important hazard during processing.
► Types of contact materials and their surface roughness are the most influential parameters for the impact sensitivity.
► Contact materials and their critical surface roughness imparted variations to the sensitivity, ranging from 2 to 14.7 J.
► A new value based on the material's surface roughnesses called critical surface roughness at which the match head composition ignited at minimum impact load were reported.
► The match head composition was found to be highly hazardous at the critical surface roughness values of 1.67, 1.80, and 1.60 μm for steel, aluminium and brass materials respectively.