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2075072 
Journal Article 
A Study of Blast Characteristics of Several Primary Explosives and Pyrotechnic Compositions 
De Yong, LV; Campanella, G 
1989 
Yes 
Journal of Hazardous Materials
ISSN: 0304-3894
EISSN: 1873-3336 
NIOSH/00187624 
21 
2 
125-133 
English 
The blast characteristics of small quantities of selected primary explosives and pyrotechnic compositions were measured and compared to TNT. In addition, the use of existing secondary explosive predictive equations and TNT equivalence was examined. The range of materials examined included primary explosives, primary explosives mixed with inert chemicals, and pyrotechnic compositions. Materials were loose filled into mild steel test units and sealed with a cork disc and adhesive. Experimentally determined values for the mean peak overpressure (P-max) and the mean positive phase impulse (I+) for all the materials studied were listed. Both P-max and I+ for the series of primary explosives cover a relatively narrow range. The highest values for both parameters were observed for 5-nitro-2-picryltetrazole while normal lead styphnate exhibited the lowest values. P-max and I+ values for the pyrotechnic compositions covered a wide range. Potassium perchlorate/aluminium/acroid resin exhibited blast characteristics greater than several of the primary explosives and similar to potassium 4,6-dinitrobenzofurazan-1-oxide. TNT equivalence values were not constant and may be significantly dependent on the mass of material and distance from the explosion. The validity of defining a single value of TNT equivalence was questioned as were the judgments of safety and damage risk criteria based on a single TNT equivalence value derived from peak overpressure values for these materials. Given that the criteria for evaluating safety levels and blast damage are a function of both P-max and I+, there appears to be no clear separation between the hazards associated with these primary explosives and pyrotechnic compositions. However, reducing the confinement of the compositions would decrease the values of P-max and I+.