Gases Liberated from Explosions Initiated by Impact

Abstract

TRUE detonation in high explosives normally gives as the major products gases such as carbon dioxide and monoxide, water, nitrogen and hydrogen^1,2, the relative quantities obtained being in general accordance with calculations based on equilibrium considerations. The thermal decomposition of explosives, on the other hand, gives more complicated products such as nitrogen oxides, aldehydes and complex condensation products, which may undergo further secondary reactions^3,4. It was of interest to see whether the products from impact-initiated explosions would approximate more closely to those of detonation or thermal decomposition. Results with the two nitric esters, nitroglycerin and pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and the nitroamine, cyclo-trimethylenetrinitramine, reveal an intermediate behaviour. The figures are given in the accompanying table. The impacts were carried out in a vacuum apparatus⁵. For comparison, some figures for the explosive decomposition of nitroglycerin and pentaerythritol tetranitrate are quoted.