AbstractRecently the occurrence of a low velocity detonation (LVD) in nitromethane has been demonstrated. In the present study this phenomenon has been further investigated by mapping the shock loading regime in which a stable LVD can develop. A confinement geometry has been chosen that earlier appeared to be able to sustain the LVD. A calibrated shock donor system has been used, so that loading shock strengths were known. The critical shock strengths for the occurrence of both high and low velocity detonation could thus be determined. Including LVDs, nitromethane appears to have a sensitivity comparable to that of relatively sensitive high explosives. The results also indicate that the geometries of some standard shock sensitivity tests are not fully adequate to detect an LVD in nitromethane.