The mechanism of small-gas detonation in mechanically activated low-density powder mixtures

A mechanism of supersonic propagation of the energy-release wave in mechanically activated small-gas explosive powder mixtures is proposed. It is shown that, under certain conditions, this process exhibits all the signs of detonation and should be recognized as a kind of thereof. On the other hand, this kind of detonation is fundamentally different from classical detonation, e.g., in gases. Instead of a shock wave, the powder mixture features propagation of a compression wave, in which the powder exhibits densification due to the mutual displacement of particles rather than contraction of the particle material. A chemical reaction is initiated by the mutual friction of particles in the compression wave.