brisance

Brisance is a property of explosives describing the rapidity with which a detonation raises the instantaneous pressure after initiation, and thereby its ability to shatter nearby materials. It is a qualitative concept that correlates with the detonation velocity and the peak pressure produced by the detonation. Explosives with high brisance generate a sharp, violent pressure rise over a very short time.

The term derives from the French word brisant, meaning cracking or shattering. In practice, brisance helps distinguish explosives that transmit a shock wave quickly and forcefully from those that release energy more gradually. High-brisance formulations are especially valued for their ability to initiate other, less sensitive explosives in a synchronized manner.

In common classifications, primary explosives (such as certain sensitive initiators) typically exhibit high brisance, while secondary explosives (like TNT, RDX, and PETN) can vary in brisance but are generally chosen for a balance of sensitivity, stability, and overall energy. Brisance is only one aspect of explosive performance; total energy release, stability, confinement, and handling characteristics also determine suitability for a given application.

Measurement of brisance is largely comparative and inferential, often related to detonation velocity and the pressure profile of the detonation. It is not a standalone quantitative property but a practical descriptor of how violently an explosive initiates and propagates a detonation, influencing initiation design and safety considerations.