What term refers to the explosive velocity that ruptures the outer container of an explosive?

The term that refers to the explosive velocity that ruptures the outer container of an explosive is detonation velocity. This velocity is a crucial characteristic of high explosives, as it defines the speed at which the detonation wave travels through the explosive material. When the detonation wave reaches the container, it generates enough pressure to cause the container to rupture.

Understanding this concept is essential in explosive ordnance disposal because it emphasizes the importance of knowing how explosives behave under certain conditions, which directly impacts safety and effectiveness during disposal operations. Detonation velocity reflects the efficiency of energy release in the explosive and plays a critical role in both military applications and controlled demolition.

The other terms do not accurately describe this phenomenon. Combustion speed relates more to low explosives and chemical reactions that burn, rather than detonate. Reaction rate generally refers to how quickly a chemical reaction occurs, not specifically tied to the context of explosive velocity. Critical velocity may refer to a threshold in fluid dynamics or material science but is not standard terminology connected to the detonation of explosives.