Aluminized Organic Explosives

Available detonation velocity D and pressure data for aluminized organic explosives have been reviewed. The observed decrease in D caused by addition of aluminum can be explained theoretically on the basis of entrainment and a small amount of compression of the Al. But the large particle size effect and the porosity effect cannot be so explained. It has been suggested that an endothermic reaction could explain the enhanced effect on D with decreased particle size of the Al. Consideration of recent studies, however, leads to the conclusion that Al is chemically inert during detonation. Hence, the particle size effect and also the porosity effect seem better explained by heat transfer to the Al.