Evaluation of explosive properties of organic peroxides with a modified Mk III ballistic mortar

Abstract Ballistic mortar tests using the Mk III F mortar have been carried out to examine a procedure for assessing the explosive hazard of organic peroxides. The explosive properties of an organic peroxide can be evaluated from two series of experiments, for propagation and power of explosion, and for shock sensitivity. Among seven organic peroxides tested, tert-butyl peroxybenzoate and dibenzoyl peroxide have shown high shock sensitivity and explosive powers of 40 and 25% of TNT, respectively. Di-tert-butyl peroxide showed medium sensitivity and the power of 30% of TNT. Cumyl hydroperoxide, 80% in cumene, dibenzoyl peroxide, 75% with water, dicumyl peroxide and dilauroyl peroxide did not propagate explosion.