Brisance
In
Practical uses
Brisance is of practical importance for determining the effectiveness of an explosion in
The value of brisance depends on the application. At one extreme, if an explosive is to be used for propulsion, e.g. by driving a
For certain types of
In shattering hard rock or military defences, brisance generally is necessary, so high explosives with extremely high detonation velocity are used as far as is practical.
Fragmentation occurs by the action of the transmitted shock wave, the strength of which depends on the detonation pressure of the explosive. Generally, the higher this pressure, the finer the fragments generated. High detonation pressure correlates with high detonation velocity, the speed at which the detonation wave propagates through the explosive, but not necessarily with the explosive's total energy (or work capacity), some of which may be released after passage of the detonation wave. A more brisant explosive, therefore, projects smaller fragments but not necessarily at a higher velocity than a less brisant one.
Notably brisant explosives
One of the most brisant of the conventional explosives is cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (also known as RDX or Hexogen).[4] RDX is the explosive agent in the plastic explosive commonly known as C-4, constituting 91% RDX by mass.[5]
See also
- Relative effectiveness factor
- Table of explosive detonation velocities
References
- ^ "Brisance". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ Storm, C. G.; Cope, W. C. (1916). "The Sand Test for Determining the Strength of Detonators" (PDF). United States Department of the Interior – via sciencemadness.org.
- ^ PIDDOCK, S. (2007). Slate, slate, everywhere slate: The cultural landscapes of the Willunga slate quarries, South Australia. Australasian Historical Archaeology, 25, 5-18. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/29544573
- ^ TM 9-1300-214. US Army.[1] Archived August 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Explosives – Compounds". Global Security.
- A. Bailey & S.G. Murray, Explosives, Propellants & Pyrotechnics, Brassey's (UK) Ltd., London, 1989.