In accordance with the material causes of explosion and the nature of the different explosions can be divided into physical explosions, chemical explosions, nuclear explosions.

Explosion is a sharp decomposition or combustion within the object, bursting out of a large amount of gas and heat, and with a lot of pressure to the surrounding phenomenon. Explosion is divided into physical and chemical explosions. Can be in a very short period of time, the release of a large amount of energy, generate high temperatures, and release a large number of gases, in the surrounding medium to cause high-pressure chemical reactions or changes in state, and at the same time extremely destructive.

1, physical explosion

Physical explosion is caused by physical changes (temperature, volume and pressure and other factors), before and after the explosion, the nature of the explosive substance and chemical composition are not changed. For example, the boiler explosion is a typical physical explosion, the cause of which is the rapid evaporation of superheated water out of a large amount of steam, so that the steam pressure continues to increase, when the pressure exceeds the boiler's ultimate strength, an explosion will occur.

2, chemical explosion

Chemical explosion is caused by chemical changes. Chemical explosion of substances, whether it is a mixture of combustible substances and air, or explosive substances, are a relatively unstable system, in the outside world under the action of a certain intensity of energy, can produce a violent exothermic reaction, thus causing strong destructive effect. For example, blasting works, dust explosions. A relatively unstable system, in the outside world under the action of a certain intensity of energy, can produce a violent exothermic reaction, resulting in high temperature and pressure, thus causing strong destructive effect.

3, nuclear explosion

Nuclear explosion is the result of the rapid release of energy in a violent nuclear reaction, may be triggered by nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or a combination of these two multi-stage tandem. An example is a nuclear weapon explosion.

4, extended information

Based on the different phases of the explosive reaction, the explosion can also be divided into gas-phase explosion, liquid-phase explosion and solid-phase explosion.

1, gas-phase explosion

including combustible gases and flammable gas mixtures of explosions; gas decomposition explosion; liquids are sprayed into a mist caused by the explosion; flying suspended in the air combustible dust caused by the explosion.

2, liquid-phase explosions

including polymerization explosions, evaporation explosions and explosions caused by the mixing of different liquids. For example, nitric acid and grease, liquid oxygen and pulverized coal and other explosions caused by mixing; molten slag in contact with water or molten steel ladle in contact with water, due to overheating and rapid evaporation caused by steam explosion.

3, solid-phase explosion

including explosive compounds and other explosive substances: such as acetylene copper explosion; wire due to current overload, due to overheating, the metal quickly vaporized and caused by the explosion.