Classification of Propellants and Explosives

The energy produced by a unit volume, defined as the energy density , is an important property for both propellants and explosives. For rocket and gun propulsions, the aerodynamic drag during flight in the atmosphere increases as the cross-sectional area of these projectiles increases. The reduction in cross-sectional area is 

The physicochemical properties of explosives are fundamentally equivalent to those of propellants. Explosives are also made of energetic materials such as nitropo- 

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The objective of this program is to establish hazard classification procedures, as a supplement to the existing regulatory manual, for in-process materials used during the various stages of propellant and explosive manufacture. 

H.S. Napadensky, R. Joyce, R. Rindner D. Satriana, Development of Hazards Classification Data on Propellants and Explosives , US Army ARRADCOM, Dover (1978)... 

It must always be assumed that explosive fumes and propellant fumes are to some extent toxic. Excess oxygen causes the formation of nitrogen oxides, deficiency carbon monoxide, both toxic. In the United States, the following classification of toxic fume components has been accepted a 1 -1/4 by 8" cartridge in its cartridge paper is detonated in a -> Bichel Bomb, and the fume composition is gas analysed. In the following Table toxic gases means the sum CO + H2S (NO and N02 are not considered ) in ft3/lb explosive ... 

J. Swatosh, Jr., and H. Napadensky, Explosive Hazard Classification of Ml Propelling Charge in its Container, (Vol I II), IITRI TR J6265-27 September 1972... 

Class B Explosive Under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) safety regulations, as per 49 CFR 173.88, Class B explosives are defined as those explosives which in general hmction by rapid combustion rather than detonation and include some explosive devices such as special fireworks, flash powders, some pyrotechnic signal devices and liquid or solid propellant explosives which include some smokeless powders. The regulations provide specific descriptions of and tests for Class B explosives. Refer to Classifications of Explosives. 

Classifying explosives by the presence of certain molecular groups does not give any information on the performance of the explosive. A far better way of classification is by performance and uses. Using this classification, explosives can be divided into three classes (i) primary explosives, (ii) secondary explosives, and (iii) propellants as shown in Figure 2.1. 

Size, Classification Size, Particle. See under Particle Size Measurements of Solid Propellants, Explosives, and Pyrotechnics in Vol 8, P18-R to P59-L... 

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