An eigenvalue detonation, also known as a pathological detonation, is a detonation with incomplete reaction at a point in the detonation reaction zone, that is sonic relative to the leading shock. Aluminized explosives are made by combining a molecular explosive with aluminum and other additives. During detonation, the molecular explosive’s first exothermic decomposition generates products that react exothermically with aluminum, but generate endothermic condensed oxide products, characteristic of eigenvalue detonation.We use a three-component model, for unreacted explosive, intermediate and final products, each with a simple ideal equation of state, and a simple depletion model for the reaction kinetics, with parameters representative of a typical aluminized explosive. We analyze the steady detonation structure in a state-variable, phase plane that allows clear identification of strong and weak eigenvalue detonation. We describe the striking contrast of the strong eigenvalue detonation with significantly higher pressure, density, and temperature in the reaction zone structure, than that of the weak eigenvalue detonation.The accessibility of the strong eigenvalue detonation branch is demonstrated by means of dynamic impact simulations. We present examples of initiation of detonation for reverse impact of unreacted explosive with a stationary wall, and finite thickness, inert flyer impact of unreacted explosive. A control volume analysis is used to describe the energy flow in the region between the incipient sonic point and the flyer explosive interface. This is followed by discussion and conclusions.
Read full abstract