Optical spectroscopy to study confined and semi-closed explosions of homogeneous and composite charges

•Optical spectroscopy as a tool to investigated new composite metallized explosives.•For safety purposes experimental procedure must be strictly followed.•.Fireball temperatures are determined using a linear fitting of Wien’s relation.•Fireball temperature histories of new thermobaric composites are measured.

Confined and semi-closed explosions of new class of energetic composites as well as TNT and RDX charges were investigated using optical spectroscopy. These composites are considered as thermobarics when used in layered charges or enhanced blast explosives when pressed. Two methods to estimate fireball temperature histories of both homogeneous and metallized explosives from the spectroscopic data are also presented, compared and analyzed. Fireball temperature results of the charges detonated in a small explosion chamber under air and argon atmospheres, and detonated in a semi-closed bunker are presented and compared with theoretical ones calculated by a thermochemical code. Important conclusions about the fireball temperatures and the physical and chemical phenomena occurring after the detonation of homogeneous explosives and composite formulations are deduced.