Posted: 11/26/2009 12:17:51 AM EDT
|
Thought I knew the difference until I went and looked both up again. From what I know the difference is a detonation is though shock compression and deflagration is through thermal conduction. So a deflagration 'spreads' through conduction, heating other material to ignition and detonation shock waves compress something (like a gas) to the point where heats up enough to ignite?
As an example I was thinking about a BLEVE. I think I have just confused myself. 
|
|
My understanding is that in a detonation the shock waves moves faster than the "flame front". Or that the force of the blast/shock wave moves outward faster than the physical explosion itself. It has to do with the Velocity of Detonation.
Tenney L. Davis wrote a pretty good book on all things that go boom (The chemistry of powder and explosives). Some of it is pretty technical but it will answer any question you could think of regarding explosives. I bought a copy for about 25 bucks but its probably available online for free. Most of the book is geared toward students but its still a good read/reference. Hope that helps. BTW Another one to try would be: Fireworks, The art and science By Takeo Shimizu (sp on the first name?) |
|
Quoted: Quoted: This. And detonations are made possible by the explosive "falling apart" instantly, rather than burning rapidly.Detonations move through a substance at a speed greater than the speed of sound through that substance. "Falling apart" in chemical terminology is known as decomposing.  |