Further quantitative data bearing on the scabbing of metals under explosive attack are presented in this paper. In particular, the mechanics of the generation of multiple scabs is established. Experimental data have been obtained that show that multiple scabbing will occur whenever the maximum stress &sgr;0in the transient wave that impinges on a free surface is more than double the critical normal fracture stress &sgr;cof the material. The number of scabs that will be formed will be equal to the first whole number smaller than the quotient &sgr;0/&sgr;c. The thickness of each scab is governed by the shape of the stress wave.