Explosif

Explosif is a term used for substances or mixtures that release a large amount of gas and energy rapidly when initiated, producing a shock wave and usually a bright flash. Explosives are chemical compounds or blends designed to convert chemical energy into mechanical work, heat, and high-pressure gases in a very short time. Their behavior depends on sensitivity, stability, and the way they release energy, which can be through detonation or rapid deflagration.

Classification and properties can be described in several ways. A common distinction is between high explosives, which detonate and have high detonation velocities, and low explosives, which deflagrate and burn rapidly without a true detonation. High explosives include substances such as TNT, RDX, and PETN, often used in mining, military applications, and demolition. Primary explosives are highly sensitive and used to initiate other explosives, while secondary explosives are less sensitive and typically serve as main charge components. Brisance, detonation velocity, and stability under heat or shock are key properties influencing handling and use. Safety and regulatory considerations are central to their management and storage.

Applications span mining, construction, demolition, mining blasting, and various pyrotechnic or research contexts. Because explosives pose serious risks to life and property, their manufacture, transport, storage, and use are subject to stringent national and international regulations, licensing, and safety protocols.

Historically, developments such as the stabilization of nitroglycerin to form dynamite and the later refinement of dense blasting agents have shaped mining and construction practices, with ongoing emphasis on improving safety and reliability.