Sensitivity of High Explosives to Detonators

The sensitivity of high explosives to the initiation by a given detonator depends primarily on their characteristics, density, and confinement conditions, as well as on the type of detonator being used. Detonators differ from each other in their size, weight, and the type of the explosive they are filled with. Consequently, their capabilities to detonate different types of high-explosive charges are different too. 

The experimentally determined ability of a detonator to detonate a high explosive can be applied to determine the comparative sensitivity of different types of high explosives. The results obtained may be used to classify the explosives with respect to hazard too. 

The methods described below are primarily intended for sensitivity testing of an explosive to the standard detonator, the blasting cap. The tests are also known as cap sensitivity tests. 

The cap sensitivity tests described here are based on the initiation of a high explosive charge by the standard detonator. The effects of the detonation of the explosive charge on a lead cylinder, steel plate, or steel tube are observed. On the basis of these effects, the conclusion about the completion of the detonation 

The sample material is filled in a 200 mm long steel tube with a 22 mm inside diameter and a 2.8 mm wall thickness. The sample mass is adjusted to give a desired density of the explosive charge. In the modifications of the test, steel tubes of different dimensions and tubes of different materials are also used. 

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