Matalaräjähteisten

Matalaräjähteisten, a Finnish term, translates to "low explosives" in English. This category encompasses pyrotechnic compositions that burn rapidly, producing a large volume of gas and heat, but without transitioning to detonation. Unlike high explosives, which undergo supersonic detonation, low explosives deflagrate, meaning the reaction front propagates at subsonic speeds.

The primary function of low explosives is propulsive. When confined, the rapid production of gas creates pressure that can be used to push or launch objects. This principle is fundamental to the operation of firearms, where gunpowder, a classic example of a low explosive, propels a projectile down a barrel. Similarly, they are used in fireworks for bursting charges that propel stars and in model rocket engines for thrust.

Common compositions classified as low explosives include black powder (a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur) and smokeless powders, which are typically nitrocellulose-based. The controlled burning rate of these materials is crucial for their intended applications, allowing for sustained pressure generation rather than an instantaneous shockwave. The term "matalaräjähteisten" specifically refers to this class of energetic materials, distinguishing them from their more powerful high explosive counterparts.