Abstract
Understanding the explosive characteristics of nitromethane (NM) under various confinement conditions is a crucial aspect of optimizing the practical applications of this compound. This study investigated the effects of the containment vessel material, diameter and wall thickness on the explosive pressure generated by NM once initiated. Higher pressures were obtained in vessels made of the rigid material stainless steel, whereas explosions were less intense in mortar and poly (methyl methacrylate) containers. Different reaction modes, ranging from deflagration to possible detonation, were observed upon slight changes in the confinement conditions. These findings provide new insights into the complex decomposition mechanism of NM together with a better understanding of the effect of confinement on the explosive power of this compound. The work reported herein is expected to advance the state of controlled energy release technologies, paving the way for safer and more efficient applications in various industries.
