تسجيل الدخول

تسجيل

Low Explosives

المؤلف:  Max M. Houck، Jay A. Siegel

المصدر:  Fundamentals of Forensic Science

الجزء والصفحة:  482

2026-08-22

29

Low Explosives

By definition, low explosives have detonation velocities below 3280 fps. In low explosives, the oxygen is physically mixed with the fuel and the explosion takes place at a slower rate than would be the case if the fuel and oxygen were chemically combined. As a result, the main effect of low explosives is to push rather than to shatter. A common low explosive, smokeless powder, is used in weapons to propel a bullet away from the cartridge and out of the barrel of the gun without causing the weapon to blow apart. Low explosives are also often used in blasting operations when it is desired to push earth or other material out of the way. Smokeless powder consists of small particles containing nitrocellulose (single base) or nitrocellulose and NG (double base). Low explosives such as smokeless powder and black powder are used in pipe bombs. Black powder is a finely milled mixture of carbon, sulfur, and potassium nitrate. Here the explosive is confined inside a metal or plastic pipe. As the explosion takes place, pressure builds up inside the bomb until it shatters. Low explosives can be easily set off by using a flame, a spark, or chemicals such as acids.