Comments on Hypervelocity Wave Phenomena in Condensed Explosives

Abstract

The occurrence of hypervelocity wave phenomena in condensed explosives during shock initiation to detonation is discussed in terms of an adiabatic reaction model for the chemical energy release (i.e., the detonation reaction). On the basis of the model, the chemical reaction exhibits an apparent induction time resulting in a sudden release of energy behind the initiating shock front. It is believed that this energy release leads to a propagated high‐pressure reaction wave which moves in the shock compressed explosive at a ``super‐velocity'' (i.e., greater than the normal steady‐state velocity) to overtake the initiating shock front. The proposed explanation is consistent with the reported observations of hypervelocity wave phenomena in detonating liquid nitromethane and single crystals of PETN.