Commercial Explosives Flashcards
High explosives
Characterized by a very high rate of reaction, high pressure development, and presence of a detonation wave in the explosive.
Low explosives
Characterized by deflagrating or low rate of reaction and the development of low pressure
High order
A detonation that results in the consumption of all the explosives in that charge
Low order
Detonation that does not result in the consumption of all the explosives in that charge
Brisance
The shattering power of an explosive material
Cratering effect
The pushing power of an explosive material
Hygroscopic
The ability of a substance to absorb water from its surroundings
Deflagration
An explosive reaction such as rapid combustion that moves through an explosive material at a velocity less than the speed of sound in material
Detonation
An explosive reaction that moves through an explosive material at a velocity greater than the speed of sound on the material.
What is generally considered the sipped that separates low/high explosive?
3,300 FPS
Shockwave
Transient pressure pulse that propagates at supersonic velocity.
Airblast
The increased pressure that is generated by an explosion forcing air away from an exploding charge.
Explosion
Chemical reaction involving an extremely rapid expansion of gases usually associated with the liberation of heat.
Explosive train
A train of combustible and explosive elements arranged in order of decreasing sensitivity.
Primary Explosive
A sensitive explosive which nearly always ignited by simple ignition.
