Thermochemistry of explosives

The kinetics constants for the decomposition reaction of an explosive can be used to calculate the lowest temperature (critical temperature, Tm) at which any specific size and shape of explosive can self heat to explosion; however, the accuracy of the calculation is in doubt without an independent experimental determination of a critical temperature for a known size and shape of the explosive. A method is presented for the experimental determination of critical temperatures on a routine basis, and it is shown that agreement between calculated and experimental values is excellent for most common explosives.