Initiation of solid explosives by mechanical impact

Abstract

For some organic explosives of composition CHNO, experimental values of the critical pressure of explosion initiation are compared with the maximum possible heats of explosion, which are energetic constants of particular explosives. A correlation between these quantities is established. It is shown that an increase in the enthalpy of formation of explosive molecules is a major factor for increasing the technological and operational sensitivity. Methods for controlling the critical pressure are described. Limiting heats of explosion making impossible the practical use of particular explosives are estimated.

Nitro Groups vs. N-Oxide Linkages: Effects Upon Some Key Determinants of Detonation Performance

“…While a large Q max is good from the standpoint of detonation performance, Equations 2 and 3, it has the problem of generally being associated with high sensitivity [38,[40][41][42][43]49], as was discussed earlier. Q max needs to be limited to a moderate value -which does not preclude having high detonation velocity and detonation pressure [38,49]!…”

“…This larger Q has been labeled Q max [4,42]. It is Q max that is related to sensitivity [38,[40][41][42][43]49].…”

“…While increasing Q does improve detonation performance, as measured by D and P, it also tends to be accompanied by the very undesirable feature of increasing sensitivity − the vulnerability of the explosive to accidental detonation due to unintended stimuli, such as impact, shock, etc. There is an overall trend for larger heat release to be associated with greater sensitivity [38,[40][41][42][43]49]. Thus the price for better detonation performance has often been a more sensitive explosive [31,42,43,45,46].…”

Theoretical evaluation of sensitivity and thermal stability for high explosives based on quantum chemistry methods: A brief review

“…[75,76] In polynitro compounds, for example, the oxygen atoms of the nitro groups, by their dipole-dipole interactions, contact the oxygen and nitrogen atoms of nitro groups in neighboring nitramine molecules in the crystal, [77][78][79] which is the decisive factor governing the crystal structure of nitramines. Nonbinding interatomic distances of oxygen atoms in the nitro compound molecules are shorter than those for the intermolecular contact radii for oxygen in carbonyl or nitro groups (i.e., 1.35-1.63 Å [80] ).…”

Electrostatic Potentials, Intralattice Attractive Forces and Crystal Densities of Nitrogen-Rich C,H,N,O Salts

“…A larger value of Q is associated with a higher level of detonation performance [6], but it is also linked to greater sensitivity [5,19,61,62], i.e., undesirable vulnerability to accidental detonation caused by an unintended stimulus such as shock or impact. Finally, if the increase in N 2 is accompanied by a decrease in the lighter product H 2 O, then the volume of gas produced per gram of compound will be less-adversely affecting detonation performance [6].…”