Particle Size Effect on Velocity of Detonation

Cook (Ref 2) reported that an inert additive, such as fine NaCl, in amts up to 10% with RDX,vaporizes in the detonation wave and does not affect its rate, but if used in higher proportion the deton can be quenched. On the other hand, coarse NaCl (-10+30 mesh) can be added in amts up to 90-95% to fine grained RDX without quenching detonation. Coarse granules of salt allow the deton to propagate between the grains at or near the rate of the pure expl 

The observations of Cook resemble the findings of Dolan (Ref 3) with mixts of salt NG. The high deton velocities obtd with the largest salt granules indicated unimpeded progress of the deton wave. As the granules were decreased in particle size and in- 

Physical Chemistry of Processes at High Pressure , Discussions of the Faraday Society 22, 203-11(1956) (Compressibilities of Solids and the Influence of Inert Additives on Deton Vel in Solid Expls) 3) J.E. 

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