Spread of Detonation in High Explosives

Abstract

IN a recent communication¹, W. C. F. Shepherd makes the interesting observation that in the initial stages of detonation in a cylindrical cartridge of high explosive initiated with a detonator, a phase, referred to as the pre-detonation phase, is often noticeable during which the rate of propagation of the reaction is much lower than the stable value finally established. Moreover, "with progressively stronger initiators, the extent of the pre-detonation phase was correspondingly reduced and the rate of propagation during this phase was increased until, finally, there was no perceptible delay in the inception of detonation".