The Kamlet‐Jacobs Parameter φ: A Measure of Intrinsic Detonation Potential

Abstract It was shown by Kamlet and Jacobs that an explosive's detonation velocity D and detonation pressure PD are governed largely by (a) the loading density of the explosive, and (b) a factor φ that depends upon the number and masses of gaseous detonation products and the accompanying heat release. For a series of different explosives, we show that the density and φ are both important in determining D and PD. For a given explosive, however, φ is approximately constant and so D and PD correlate quite well with the density, as has long been known. We propose that φ be interpreted as a measure of the intrinsic detonation potential of an explosive, that is independent of the external factors that affect the loading density. Comparison of φ values for different explosives can provide useful insights into features that promote high detonation velocities and detonation pressures. The parameter φ is related to a property introduced earlier, explosive power, but φ takes into account the fact that part of the carbon content of an explosive typically remains as a residue after the detonation process.