On the mechanism of the detonation of organic high explosives

This article presents a further analysis of isotopic labeling data on the mechanism of the detonation of TNT-, RDX-, and HMX-containing mixtures and on the release of free carbon from these mixtures. The distribution of carbon isotopes among the condensed explosion products and, for the first time, among the gaseous ones is considered in relation to the particle size of the mixed explosives. A sequence of main chemical reactions in the detonation wave is suggested to account for the experimental data discussed.