Misznay-Schardin effect
Encyclopedia
Perpendicular
In geometry, two lines or planes are considered perpendicular to each other if they form congruent adjacent angles . The term may be used as a noun or adjective...
to) the surface of an explosive. Unlike the blast from a rounded explosive charge, which expands in all directions, the blast produced by an explosive sheet expands primarily perpendicular to its plane, in both directions. If one side is backed by a heavy or fixed object, however, the majority of the blast (that is, most of the rapidly expanding gas and its kinetic energy) will be sent in the direction away from it.
This effect was studied and experimented with by explosive experts József Misznay, a Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, and Hubert Schardin
Hubert Schardin
Hubert Schardin Hermann Reinhold was a German ballistics expert, engineer and academic who studied in the field of Time-lapse photography and high-frequency Cinematography....
, a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, who initially sought to develop a more effective anti-tank mine for Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. Some sources claim World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended before their design became usable, but they and others continued their work. Actually, Misznay designed two weapons. The 43 M was an AT mine, the LŐTAK was a side-attack mine. The Hungarian army used these weapons in 1944-1945.
The AT2 mine
AT2 mine
The AT2 mine is a scatterable anti-tank mine developed by Dynamit Nobel. It can be scattered from artillery rockets or from mine laying systems, and is currently in service with the British, German and Norwegian armies.-Description:...
and the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Claymore mine
M18A1 Claymore Antipersonnel Mine
The M18A1 Claymore is a directional anti-personnel mine used by the U.S. military. It was named after the large Scottish sword by its inventor, Norman A. MacLeod...
rely on this effect.