Determination of Impact Sensitivity

The literature reports several types of impact testing apparatus also known as fall hammer apparatus , for the determination of impact sensitivity of explosives. 

Explosive Melting point/°C Ignition temperature/°C Exotherm temperature/°C Onset temperature of decomposition (Ti)/°C 

The description of these apparatuses, sample preparation and method of determination along with the manner of presentation of the results are given in the literature in detail [48] and only an account of the salient features is given here. 

1) Fall hammer test The impact sensitivity of an explosive is measured by determining the minimum height from which a specified weight is dropped in order to initiate decomposition, ignition or explosion. Many forms of fall hammer are available and most important point of various designs being the modes used to retain explosive samples in position. In this, the explosive is 

The minimum height at which at least one out of ten repeated trials results in explosion or ignition is determined. 

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The results of determination of impact sensitivity detected on the basis of sound (see the Bruceton method) were taken from literature [66-70] and are presented in Tables 1 and 2 as drop energies, Edr (expressed in J). The tables also contain a survey of the polynitro compounds studied, including their code designations. 

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