An Improved Simple Method for the Calculation of the Detonation Performance of CHNOFCl, Aluminized and Ammonium Nitrate Explosives

An improved simple method is presented for calculation of the detonation velocity of CHNO and CHNOFCl explosives, as well as non-ideal explosives containing aluminum (Al) and ammonium nitrate (AN) additives. In contrast to the available complex computer codes, where the estimated detonation velocities of non-ideal explosives for equilibrium and steady state calculations show significant differences from the measured data, this simple method gives more reliable results. Suitable decomposition paths are suggested in which the partial interaction of Al with the gaseous products and the decomposition of AN are assumed for composite explosives containing Al/AN additives. The predicted detonation velocities using the new method are good compared to those from one of the well-known empirical methods and from computer codes using full and partial equilibrium of Al/AN.