Displacement of combustion products behind the chemical-reaction front in a
condensed system is shown to affect combustion-wave propagation through an
inert obstacle. In the experiments, pressed specimens of a Ti + C + 20% Ti
C mixture containing an obstacle in the form of a tantalum band 10 mu m to
0.6 mm thick were used. Dependences of the delay of the combustion wave dur
ing penetration through the obstacle on the obstacle thickness were obtaine
d for the cases of small (<1 mm) and large (approximate to 4.5 mm) displace
ments of the material behind the chemical-reaction front.