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PHILIPPINE BOMB DATA CENTER

Introduction
to
Explosive
Theory
 What is an Explosive?
An explosive is a chemical composition, either solid,
liquid or gas that is in a state of unstable equilibrium.
When suitably initiated by shock, friction or heat, they
under go a rapid chemical change from their original
compound into one or more stable compounds, usually
gasses. In the process of changing from an unstable to
more stable compounds they give out energy in the
form of heat, light and sound, which as a final result is
a violent expansion of gasses (pressure).
 Safety Considerations
Explosives can be sensitive to:
Heat
Shock
Friction

Treat all explosives with respect and

care.
 Explosion
The process of internal burning. Instead of the oxygen
being supplied from the surrounding air, it is supplied in the
form of oxidisers or oxidants and is actually a solid material
that is in intimate contact with the fuel. The energy
produced normally appears in the form of heat and light. If
a substance is capable of burning and giving off gaseous
products and burns in a confined space, an increase in
pressure results. This pressure increase causes the rate of
burning to increase to a maximum, (burning rates are from
a fraction of a metre per second up to 300 metres per
second) and eventually the container will burst. This
process is known as an explosion of low explosives.
 Detonation
Detonation is the transmission through an explosive
substance (at speeds in the order of 3000 - 9000 metres
per second), of a shock wave which brings about
complete molecular disintegration.
The extreme violence of this type of reaction is associated
with the fact that the chemical change is taking place
between atoms of the same molecule, instead of between
separate particles as in the explosion process.
The speed at which a detonation takes place is known as
the Velocity of Detonation (VOD). The disintegration
reduces the original composition to its basic, more stable
elements, some or all of which are gaseous.
Characteristics of an explosion
10,000 to 15,000 times the original volume of
gas produced.

Velocity of gas about 6,000 m/second.

Temperature of 3,000 to 4,000 degrees

Celsius.

Within about 10 milliseconds.

 Resulting Effects
Shock (induced by the rapid increase in
pressure)
Incendiary (fire/heat)
Fragmentation
Primary – parts of the device
Secondary – anything, those things that are
part of the surrounding area and not part of
the actual device
 Resulting Effects

Incendiary
 Resulting Effects

Fragmentation
Primary
• device
components
Secondary
• as a result of the
explosion
 Resulting Effects

Shock
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION
BLAST PRESSURE EFFECT

Gases are produced within 0.0001 seconds

These gases reach velocities of up to 11,000
kilometers per hour
Exert pressures of up to 110 tons per square
cm
The gases move away from the blast seat
and
Are referred to as a “Blast Pressure Wave”
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION

POSITIVE PRESSURE PHASE

NEGATIVE PRESSURE PHASE
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION
BLAST PRESSURE EFFECT
Secondary Blast Pressure Effects
Reflection
Focusing
Shielding
 Shrapnel
Shrapnel is something added to the device for an Anti Personnel effect

For example: nails, nuts, bolts, glass etc

Woomera - September 1999
 Safety considerations –
Protection from explosive
effects
Shielding
Fragmentation
Incendiary

Distance
Fragmentation
Incendiary
Overpressure/Shock
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION

Velocity of detonation can be defined as;

“The speed at which the detonation

wave travels through an explosive
substance.”
1 2

3 4
 Time in
microseconds
after the
connection of
current to the
detonator
TYPES OF EXPLOSIVES

Low Explosive

High Explosive
 Explosives
LOW EXPLOSIVES
 TYPES OF EXPLOSIVES
Low Explosive:
This type of explosive has ‘Velocity of
Detonation’, below 2,000 meters per sec
(6000 feet per/ sec.)
Produces greater propellant effects and few
blasting effects. The Low explosives are
generally sensitive to fire, impact and friction
and are easily initiated. Examples: Black
Powder, Chemical Powder, and Pyrotechnics.
 EXPLOSIVES

 HIGH EXPLOSIVES
TYPES OF EXPLOSIVES

High Explosive:
This type of explosive has a ‘Velocity of
Detonation’, above 2,000 meter per sec
(6000 feet per/ sec) and produces fewer
propellant effects and greater blasting
effects.
High Explosives can be sub-classified into:  
•  Primary High Explosive
• Secondary High explosive
 Primary high explosives
Extremely sensitive to initiation by heat, shock,
friction static electricity and flame or combination of these.

They are ignited easily and reach their detonation

velocities upon ignition.

Valued for their extreme sensitivity than for their

damage capability
 Primary High Explosives

They are used in the beginning of a firing train

to detonate secondary high explosives.
Primary high explosives are used in the
manufacture of commercial and military
detonators (easily initiated by flame or bridge
wire in electric blasting caps)
Secondary High Explosives.
Used as a main charge and sometimes as a
booster for much less sensitive explosives
such as anfo.
Relatively insensitive to heat, shock, friction
and static electricity.
Usually require the help of high explosives in
order to detonate.
Some of the least sensitive items cannot be
detonated unless the detonation wave of the
primary explosive is amplified by a booster
 EXPLOSION (Low Explosive)
1. Rapid burning in a confined space.
2. Can be initiated by heat, spark or
flame.
Secondary High Explosives.
3. Surface burning, therefore is
controllable.
4. Rate of burning never exceeds 2000
metres per second.
5. Impurities can impede the burning
process.
6. Air gaps do not impede burning.
DETONATION (High Explosive)
Molecular disintegration by a shock wave,
always accompanied by the release of
heat.
Normally initiated by some form of shock.
An uncontrolled process once initiated.
Velocity of detonation is usually between
3000 - 9000 metres per second.
Impurities do not impede a shock wave.
Air gaps will impede a shock wave.
EXPLOSIVE INITIATION
A three stage explosive train

Typically uses small amounts of

highly sensitive explosive to initiate
larger amounts of less sensitive
explosives
 MAIN CHARGE
INITIATOR BOOSTER

PRIMERY EXPLOSIVE
(VERY SENSITIVE)
INTERMEDIARY EXPLOSIVE
(SOME WHAT SENSITIVE) SECONDARY EXPLOSIVE
(INSENSITIVE)
INITAITOR
Primary explosive (very sensitive)

BOOSTER
Secondary explosive (some what sensitive)

MAINCHARGE
Secondary explosive (insensitive)
typically uses small amounts of sensitive
high explosive to initiate larger amounts
of less sensitive explosives.
 POWER POWER INITIATOR WAVE BOOSTER MAIN
CARRIER CARRIER CHARGE

 
 
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