Relative explosive strength of some explosive mixtures containing urea and/or peroxides

Several mixtures, based on urea derivatives and some inorganic oxidants, including also alumina, were studied by means of ballistic mortar techniques with TNT as the reference standard. The detonation pressure, P, detonation velocity, D, detonation energy, Q, and volume of gaseous product at standard temperature and pressure (STP), V, were calculated using Explo5 V6.3 thermochemical code. Performance of the mixtures studied was discussed in relation to their thermal reactivity, determined by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA). It is shown that the presence of hydrogen peroxide in the form of its complex with urea (i.e. as UHP) has a positive influence on the explosive strength of the corresponding mixtures which is linked to the hydroxy-radical formation in the mixtures during their initiation reaction. These radicals might initiate (at least partially) powdered aluminum into oxidation in the CJ plane of the detonation wave. Mixtures containing UHP and magnesium are dangerous because of potential auto-ignition