Detonation Properties and Mechanism of Low Detonation Velocity Emulsion Explosives with Clay Particles as the Inert Agents

A novel emulsion explosive is developed using clay particles as an inert additive. Its detonation velocity and brisance were measured by probe method and lead cylinder compression method, respectively. The mechanism of clay particles to reduce the detonation velocity of the emulsion explosive was analyzed. The underwater detonation parameters of different formulas were tested by underwater explosion experiments. The results show that when the mass fraction of clay particles is 0-20% and the mass fraction of grass microspheres is 5%-15%, the detonation velocity of the novel emulsion explosive is 2815-4420m/s and the brisance is 7.9-18.9mm. The empirical formulas of detonation velocity and brisance of the novel emulsion explosive obtained by fitting experimental results are D=4923.1-9930a-2980b(m/s) and Δh=23.3-74a-20b(mm) respectively, of which, a and b are the mass fraction of clay particles and grass microspheres, respectively. The results of the underwater explosion experiments reveal that the clay particle content has a significant influence on the results of underwater detonation parameters. When the mass fraction reaches 20%, the peak over pressure, shock wave impulse, specific shock wave energy, specific bubble energy and specific total energy of novel emulsion explosive decrease by 33.34%, 13.19%, 67.67%, 71.73% and 70.96%, respectively, compared with traditional emulsion explosives.