On the validity of the thermal explosion model in shock wave initiated nitromethane

By means of Perot Fabry Velocimetry (PFV) we recorded material velocities generated by an intense shock wave (P > 70 kbar) in pure nitromethane. Our experiments show that nitromethane does not behave according to the Campbell-Travis model for detonation in liquid explosives. We do not find any evidence for a so-called superdetonation, which would start behind and overtake the pressure shock wave. Our recordings of material velocities show a behavior of the liquid explosive very similar to that of solid polycrystalline explosives and are compatible with the heterogeneous decomposition scheme.