Prediction of shock sensitivity of explosives based on small-scale gap test

A new method is described to predict shock sensitivity of C(a)H(b)N(c)O(d) explosives without using any experimental data. It can determine shock sensitivity based on small-scale gap test as the pressure required to initiate material pressed to 90%, 95% and 98% of theoretical maximum density. Three essential parameters would be needed in the new scheme which contain a+b/2-d, the existence of alpha-C-H linkage in nitroaromatic compounds or NNO(2) functional group and difference of the number of amino and nitro groups attached to aromatic ring. Predicted shock sensitivities in some well-known explosives have a root mean square (rms) deviation of 3.97, 4.02 and 5.89kbar of experiment to initiate pressure of material pressed to 90%, 95% and 98% of theoretical maximum density, respectively.