1. n. []

Chemical explosive material having an extremely high reaction rate that creates very high combustion pressures, unlike low explosives that have a much lower reaction rate and are commonly used as propellants. High explosives are further categorized as primary- and secondary-high explosive. Primary-high explosives are very sensitive, can be detonated easily and are generally used only in percussion and electrical detonators. Secondary-high explosives are less sensitive, require a high-energy shock wave to achieve detonation and are safer to handle. Secondary-high explosives are used in almost all elements of a ballistic chain, other than the detonator, such as in detonating cord and shaped charges.

See related terms: detonating cord,  shaped charge