Low-Gas Detonation in Low-Density Mechanically Activated Powder Mixtures

Abstract

We have analyzed experimental data on supersonic self-sustained propagation of an energy-release wave in low-density mechanically activated mixtures. Various mechanisms that can be responsible for this process have been investigated, and the mechanism for detonation-like propagation of reaction in powder mixtures has been proposed. It is shown that under certain conditions, this process possesses all features of detonation and must be treated as a variety of detonation. It is demonstrated that this type of detonation basically differs from classical “ideal” detonation: instead of a shock wave, a compaction wave propagates in a powder mixture, in which powder compaction and not compression of particle material occurs due to mutual displacement of particles. In this case, a chemical reaction is initiated due to mutual friction of oxidizer and fuel particles in the powder compaction wave.