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.
Secondary Explosive
Explosives that require initiation by the detonation impact of an initial (Primary) explosive.
What explosives are in M6 blasting caps
Lead styphnate, lead azide, Rex
What is C4 composed of?
91% RDX and 9% non-explosive plasticizer and motor oil
What are the 3 ingredients for black powder?
75% potassium/sodium nitrate, 15% charcoal, 10% sulfur
What is the ingredient inside safety fuse and time fuse?
Black powder
When can propellants reach detonating velocities?
When boosted with a cap, when confined
Why is it important to know that Semtex is not manufactured in the US?
It’s made outside the US, there are fewer controls and little testing or standards in place during manufacture; therefore the variance in the efficiency of the explosive is greater
When mixed, are binary components classified as explosive or nonexplosive?
Explosive
What is the difference between straight dynamite and strength
dynamite?
Straight: Nitroglycerine is the principal energy source and
percentage is by weight; Strength: The percentage is talking about relative power or strength compared to straight dynamite.
What is the explosive train of a non-electric blasting cap?
Ignition charge of lead styphnate, an intermediate charge of lead
azide, and a base charge of RDX
What primary explosive is usually used in percussion primers?
Lead Azide
What primary explosive is used to produce military and commercial
blasting caps, replacing Mercury Fulminate?
DDNP
What is the explosive train of a non-electric blasting cap?
Ignition charge of lead styphnate, an intermediate charge of lead azide, and a base
charge of RDX
