Approximate closed solutions for detonation parameters in condensed explosives.

The virial equation of state is used to derive approximate closed solutions for the detonation velocity and pressure of condensed explosives. The detonation parameters are defined by the energy of detonation, loading density, the average number of atoms per gaseous product molecule, the weight fraction solids in the detonation products, and the second virial coefficient of the product gases. The equations for pressure and velocity are applicable to gaseous as well as condensed systems. Product distribution rules are presented for explosives containing the elements C, Cl, F, H, N, and O. When the approximate closed solutions are used in conjunction with the product distribution rules to predict the detonation parameters of a series of high explosives, predicted pressures are about 10% low and velocities are 10% high, but the ordering of computed parameters agrees with experiment.