Initial detonating agents

Delay Detonators. See under Initiators (Detonators, Primers and Initial Detonating Agents). 

W.H. Rinkenbach in Kirk Othmer, Vol 8 (1965), 583-93 (Initial Detonating Agents)... 

Explosibility. Liquid ethylene oxide is stable to detonating agents, but the vapor will undergo explosive decomposition. Pure ethylene oxide vapor will decompose partially however, a slight dilution with air or a small increase in initial pressure provides an ideal condition for complete decomposition. Copper or other acetylide-forming metals such as silver, magpesium, and alloys of such metals should not be used to handle or store ethylene oxide because of the danger of the possible presence of acetylene. Acetylides detonate readily and will initiate explosive decomposition of ethylene oxide vapor. In the presence of certain catalysts, liquid ethylene oxide forms a poly-condensate. 

As they are not cap sensitive, they must be initiated by a high velocity HE, such as 75% Ammonia Gelatin, Composition B or Pentolite. Inadequate priming imparts a low initial deton velocity to a Blasting Agent and in extreme cases the reaction will die out and cause a misfire. HE boosters are sometimes spaced along a bore-... 

Primer is a relatively small amount of high explosive, into which a detonator is inserted, which is used to initiate blasting agents such as ANFO. 

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