Theoretical modeling of converging and diverging detonation waves in solid and gaseous explosives

The ignition and growth reactive flow model of shock initiation and detonation accurately calculate detonation velocity radius data on spherically diverging and converging detonation waves in the solid explosive PBX-9404. The theory of converging detonation waves is reviewed. The effects of the final reaction product state, the variability of the heat of reaction, and the equations of state are discussed for converging detonation waves in gaseous and solid explosives. It is postulated that the reaction product states follow a locus of Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) states as the detonation velocity and pressure increase. In converging gaseous detonations the heat of reaction decreases and the adiabatic exponent increases as the detonation velocity increases. In converging detonations in solid explosives equation of state uncertainties dominate the calculations, and more experimental data on overdriven detonation waves are required for improved modeling.