If the usual analysis of shock-wave data is made for polycrystalline plastic-bonded HMX and pressed TNT the experimental data extrapolate to the detonation pressure point rather than to the peak spike pressure point . This is indicative of a reactive wave, which is to be expected. Limitations based on the assumptions and analysis are discussed to show that it is not possible to infer any information about the shock properties of unreacted explosive from the available shock-wave daLa for solid explosives.Since no calculational model is available which will permit the computation of the details of initiation of solid explosives, empirical relationships are presented to summarize the data for engineering purposes.

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