We have made detailed measurements of the approach to steady, self-supported propagating shock waves at greatly reduced yield in composite propellants. Propa- gation velocities are less than one half the theoretical value expected for full reac- tion at the sonic plane. Previous experimental studies 1 have given evidence of similar behavior. Also, previous theoretical work 2 in an analytic form has shown the possibility of reduced yield detonations. We have developed a reaction model coupled with a hydrody- namic code that together provide a description of the coupling of the complex reac- tion behavior with shock propagation and expansion in energetic materials. The model results show clearly that if the dependence of reaction rate on pressure is of sufficiently low order and the mode of consumption is by "grain burning" the calcu- lated detonation behavior closely parallels the observed non-ideal results. We describe the experiments, the reaction model, and compare experimental and calculational results. We also extend the model to predict results in the unexplored regime of very large size charges
