The burning behavior of TNT in the closed bomb

This work shows that the physical structure of TNT breaks up during burning in the closed bomb. Combustion proceeds on fragments with a new surface-to-volume ratio. The size, shape, and number of fragments is determined by the crystal pattern permitted to develop during the casting procedure. The intrinsic burning rate of TNT is very slow in relation to the rate of structural dissociation. Wax, the desensitizing agent used with TNT in the formulation Composition B, does not interact with TNT to modify its burning behavior. The size, shape, and number of fragments is determined by the crystal pattern permitted to develop during the casting procedure. The intrinsic burning rate of TNT is very slow in relation to the rate of structural dissociation. Wax, the desensitizing agent used with TNT in the formulation Composition B, does not interact with TNT to modify its burning behavior.