Explosives with a high detonating velocity have a bursting or shattering effect. Propellant explosives are used for firearms, rockets, general engineering, and demolition work. They differ from detonating explosions in that an avenue of escape is provided for the expanding gases. For example, when the explosive propellant in the space shuttle solid rocket boosters is ignited, all the gases from the resulting continuous explosion escape out the bottom, providing upward thrust. Unlike a detonating explosive, not all the explosive material is burned at once in a propellant explosive.
Industries rely on small explosive charges for a number of purposes.
In metallurgy, for example, metals can be pressed into dies, extruded, or welded together by means of such explosions. New metal alloys have been created that way. How has the use of explosives changed over the last 100 years. Also called primary explosive. Engineering with a bang.