Explosives Rules of Thumb

The explosive reaction is simply a very fast oxidization process involving fuels(Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, etc) and oxidizers (Oxygen). A generic explosive, CHNO, will produce reaction gas products such as CO₂, H₂O, and N₂.

The exothermal chemical reaction releases a certain amount of energy known as explosion energy. This energy is used in heating and compressing the gas produced by the reaction. As an average :

1) 1 Kg of explosive would typically release 1000 litres of gas

2) 1 Kg of explosive would typically release 1000 Kcal of energy which, if transformed completely in heat, could boil 10 litres of water from ambient temperature.

3) The gas produced upon detonation of a typical commercial explosive composition, and before any expansion occurs, is at a temperature in the range of 2000-3000 K and the resulting pressure ranging from 50 to 150 Kbar.