Evaluation of the strength and efficiency of the energy transformation of industrial emulsion explosives

Results are presented for the determination of a TNT equivalent of two commercial emulsion explosives of the reverse-emulsion type (poremit 1 and poremit M) by measuring the principal parameters of an air shock wave: the maximum excess pressure and the specific impulse of the compression phase at distances of 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 m from the center of a cylindrical explosive charge with a mass of 10 kg. The duration of the compression phase of the air shock wave is also determined. It is established that the TNT equivalent is approximately the same (≈0.9) when determined by measuring the maximum pressure for both poremits at a charge density of 1.25–1.37 g/cm3, but differs substantially (are 0.7 and 1.1) when determined from the specific impulse. This result is explained by energy release due to the relatively slow reaction of aluminum particles with oxygen of air behind the wave front.