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REAL Chemistry

PROPERTIES OF EXPLOSIVES: An explosive is a material, either a pure single substance or a mixture of substances, which is capable of producing an explosion by its own energy. It seems unnecessary to define an explosion, for everyone knows what it is-a loud noise and the sudden going away of things from the place where they have been. Sometimes it may only be the air in the neighborhood of the material or the gas from the explosion which goes away. Our simple definition makes mention of the one single attribute which all explosives possess. It will be necessary to add other ideas to it if we wish to describe the explosive properties of any particular substance.

DYNAMITE AND OTHER HIGH EXPLOSIVES: Dynamite and the fulminate blasting cap both resulted from Alfred Nobel’s effort to make nitroglycerin more safe and more convenient to use. Having discovered that nitroglycerin is exploded by the explosion of a small firecracker-like device filled with black powder, he tried the effect of mixing the two materials, and in 1863 was granted a patent which covered the use of a liquid explosive, such as nitroglycerin or methyl or ethyl nitrate, in mixture with gunpowder in order to increase the effectiveness of the latter.

Search for Species Data by Chemical Name Enter a chemical species name (e.g., Methane) and then select the desired units for data. Then, IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE DATA PRESENTED, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS MESSING AROUND WITH THESE CHEMICALS. In fact, if you do understand the data, then you should be smart enough to know what will happen to you if you are not in a licensed facility and certified to work with these items under the proper laboratory conditions. Sudden non-existence being probably the least cruel result.

Chemical Compatibility Before you put that solution in any old container, you better check here to see whether the compatibility is severe or excellent.

Chemistry & Environmental Dictionary & Molar Calculations and Javascript Calculator & Molarity, Molality and Normality & Periodic Table

HIGH EXPLOSIVES THE INTERACTION OF CHEMISTRY AND MECHANICS Although explosives have been known for over a thousand years, the science of explosives is still very young. We are only beginning to understand the nonlinear interaction between chemistry and fluid mechanics that produces the rapid energy release known as detonation... Very technical - for explosive engineers.

THE CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES, PART 1 An historically interesting rough proof of a Soviet document translation. Lots of mark-up. Abstract : Data on the properties and methods of production of high explosives is systematically presented in book form. Theoretical principles of the production processes are examined, AND THE STATES OF THE HIGH-EXPLOSIVES INDUSTRY ABROAD IS DESCRIBED ON THE BASIS OF LITERATURE DATA. The book consists of 3 parts embracing the 3 most important classes of explosives: (1) nitro compounds; (2) nitroamines; and (3) nitric esters. In the first chapter of each part, the general properties of the explosives of the given class are illuminated, as are the theoretical fundamentals of the process by which they are produced. A description is then given of the chemistry and technologyous conditions as well as the nitration process flow, and the acid equipment of the high-explosives plant.

TM 9-1300-214 MILITARY EXPLOSIVES ~ This manual is intended for use as a text for instruction or as a reference source in the field of energetic materials. Only the materials of interest in conventional armaments are covered; nuclear armaments are not.

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Databases:

The A-Z List of Explosive Materials" Courtesy of the BATF. Thank you very much, guys. See also: ATF List of Explosive Materials [SSRsi Online Article]

Search for Species Data by Chemical Name Enter a chemical species name (e.g., Methane) and then select the desired units for data. Then, IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE DATA PRESENTED, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS MESSING AROUND WITH THESE CHEMICALS

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Components

Flame-Explosion Couple: A flame-explosion couple is disclosed which upon ignition burns for a period of time in a relatively stable manner and thereafter explodes to produce fragments which continue to burn for a further period of time. The composition may comprise from 40 to 89 percent by weight of a volatile liquid fuel, from 10 to 50 percent by weight of a secondary explosive or strong metal salt oxidizer and from 0.5 to 5 percent by weight of an explosive primer. It is usually desirable to incorporate a gellant in the composition to give it a jellylike consistency of a desired viscosity. The composition may optionally contain combustible metal powders and combustible polymers.

Professional Homemade Cherry Bombs & Other Fireworks By Joseph Abrusci: Exploding fireworks are very easy to make and, if reasonable care is exercised during the making and using, they are relatively safe. Our efforts will be concentrated on six types of exploding fireworks: Miniature Salutes; Kraft Salutes; Super Kraft Salutes; Stick Salutes; Thunderbolt Salutes; and Super Thunderbolt Salutes.

Impact Firecrackers by John Donner: Impact Firecrackers is divided into three sections: a brief introduction, a section on chemicals used in this process, eight sections that describe small-scale, experimental manufacture of torpedoes, annotated bibliography, and end notes.

DYNAMITE AND OTHER HIGH EXPLOSIVES

Black Powder Probably the best article on BP that I have ever read.

HMX (Octogen) HMX is also known as Octogen. This explosive compound is a white, crystalline solid with a nitrogen content of 37.84%. HMX is used as an explosive charge when desensitized, as a booster charge in mixtures with TNT (octols), and as an oxidizer in solid rocket and gun propellants. Two grades of HMX are used for military applications:

• Grade A has a minimum purity of 93% and a 7% maximum RDX content.
• Grade B has a minimum purity of 98% and a 2% maximum RDX content.

RDX (Hexogen) RDX is also known as Hexogen, Cyclonite and Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine. This explosive compound has an extremely low volatility. It is a white solid with a density of 1.806 g/cc and nitrogen content of 37.84%. Pure RDX is used in press-loaded projectiles. Cast loading is accomplished by blending RDX with a relatively low melting point substance. RDX is also used as a base charge in detonators and in blasting caps.

• Compositions in which RDX is melted with wax are called Composition A (see details below).
• Compositions in which RDX is mixed with TNT are called Composition B (see details below).
• Compositions in which RDX is blended with a non-explosive plasticizer are called Composition C (see details below).

Nitroguanidine (Picrite) Because of the material's low temperature of explosion (about 2,098°C), nitroguanidine is used in triple-base propellants. The addition of nitroguanidine makes the triple-base propellant practically flashless and less erosive than nitrocellulose-nitroglycerine (double base propellant) of comparable force.

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene has been the most widely used military explosive since World War I. The advantages of TNT include low cost, safety in handling, fairly high explosive power, good chemical and thermal stability, compatibility with other explosives, a low melting point favorable for melt casting operations and moderate toxicity. MIL-T-248C specifies two types of TNT, Type I has a minimum melting point of 80.2°C; Type II has a minimum melting point of 80.4°C.

Composition A Composition A explosives consist of a series of formulations of RDX and a desensitizer. IPI offers Composition A-3, A-4, A-5, and A-6.

Composition B Composition B explosives contain various mixtures of RDX and TNT, in proportions of approximately 60% RDX and 40% TNT. IPI offers Composition B, B3, and B4.

Composition C Composition C3 contains a mixture of approximately 77% RDX and 23% of an explosive plasticizer.

Tritonal Tritonal is a silvery solid that contains 80% of TNT and 20% of Aluminum. Tritonal is used as a filler in bombs and shells.

PLASTIC BONDED EXPLOSIVES (PBX) PBX is a term applied to a variety of explosive mixtures which have high mechanical strength, good explosive properties, excellent hemical stability, relative insensitivity to handling and shock, and high thermal output sensitivity. PBX's contain a high percentage of basic explosives such as RDX, HMX, HNS, or PETN in a mixture with a polymeric binder. The following PBX's are currently used for military purposes:

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Igniters

IGNITION DEVICES There are many ways to ignite explosive devices. There is the classic "light the fuse, throw the bomb, and run" approach, and there are sensitive mercury switches, and many things in between. Generally, electrical detonation systems are safer than fuses, but there are times when fuses are more appropriate than electrical systems; it is difficult to carry an electrical detonation system into a stadium, for instance, without being caught. A device with a fuse or impact detonating fuse would be easier to hide.

Making Your Own High-Power Igniters Primarily for rocket motors, not explosive devices.

Underwater igniters Jolly Roger files, which makes these very dangerous...

Fuse by Tetranitrate: This instructable describes how to build a simple fuser to quickly and efficiently make hundreds of feet of pyrotechnic fuse. It requires very basic materials and construction skills, and the entire process only takes a matter of hours to get hundreds of feet of fuse. I would like to give credit to both united nuclear and pyro universe, because this design improves on and modifies both of their ideas and techniques. This project will have much use in my other projects requiring fuse, and as every pyrotechnic knows you can never have enough fuse.

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Initiators



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Propellants

Black Powder Probably the best article on BP that I have ever read.

Explosives - Black Powder - 24 pgs; Author Unknown

Field Expedient Preparation of Black Powders - 18 pgs; Author Unknown

How to Make Black Powder (& other explosives) - 7 pgs; Author Unknown

Propellant stabilizers:

Diphenylamine (DPA) DPA is used in single-based propellants. Since it is incompatible with Nitroglycerin, it cannot be used in double-base and triple-base propellant compositions.

Ethyl Centralite Also called Centralite I or symmetrical diethyl diphenylurea. It is used as a stabilizer, gelatinizer, and waterproofing agent. Ethyl Centralite can be used in relatively large proportions (up to 8%) of the propellant composition.

Methyl Centralite Also called Centralite II or symmetrical dimethyl diphenylurea. It is used as a stabilizer in double-base and triple-base propellants.

2-Nitrodiphenylamine Used for double-base and triple-base propellants which use Nitroglycerine as the gelatinizing agent for the Nitrocellulose.

Dinitrotoluene (DNT) Used as a stabilizer in single-base propellants. Also used as a ballistic modifier (homogenizer) for single base propellants.

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Pyrotechnics

Pyrotechnic Chemicals: the most common chemicals used in modern day pyrotechnics, both consumer and display. Some of these, such as magnesium, are only used in display fireworks.

Practical Pyrotechnics Originally in Dutch (now in English), it is the product of internet research and compilation. Be sure to read the disclaimer!!!

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Detonators/Caps

Detonator, From Wikipedia: A detonator is a device used to trigger an explosive device. Detonators can be chemically, mechanically, or electrically initiated, the latter two being the most common. Explosive Ordnance Devices or EOD (hand grenades, naval mines etc.) generally use mechanical detonators.

Blasting caps info archived from a USENET thread.

Kitchen Improvised Blasting Caps by Tim Lewis. Being totally realistic one cannot hope to produce a blasting cap comparable to commercial products. The precision of modern manufacturing can produce caps cheaply and safely. The actual loading process is a dangerous one, but can be made relatively safe by taking the precautions outlined in the processes below. The home producer, can however, manufacture a cap that will work 99% of the time. These "homemade" caps will detonate most of the high explosives that their commercial counterparts will. The processes and techniques herein SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!! Serious harm or death could occur from attempting to perform any of the methods in this publication. This is merely for reading enjoyment, and is not intended for actual use!! We don't take responsibility for this text. We have only made it available for you on the web.

Explosive Detonators This was from a link to a page with explicit ads, so we denuded it (pardon the really lame pun) and archived it here.

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really stupid stuff

Field Expedient Methods for Explosives Preparation. Very dangerous stuff for the uninformed &inexperienced chemist. Don’t try this stuff at home – or near anyone you care to see again! For informational purposes only!

The Anarchist CookBook IV, ver 4.14. The techniques herein can be obtained from public libraries, and can usually be carried out by ANYONE with minimal equipment. This makes one all the more frightened, since any lunatic or social deviant could obtain this information, and use it against anyone. The processes and techniques herein SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!! Serious harm or death could occur from attempting to perform any of the methods in this publication. This is merely for reading enjoyment, and is not intended for actual use!! We don't take responsibility for this text. We have only made it available for you on the web. The original text file can be found on anonymous ftp at many places on the Web. This link will not be updated. If it goes down again, it stays down. About 35% of everything in it is dangerously inaccurate anyway. Also Try: http://hacking.iwarp.com/

THE LIST OF EXPERIMENTS INTRODUCING THE POWER OF EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNICS Most of us have seen these recipes elsewhere (Black Book of Munitions, etc.). The difference here is that whoever wrote this page obviously has a very thin grasp on grammar - kind of makes you wonder how loose s/he may have been with the "recipes" as well, doesn't it? The processes and techniques herein SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!

Solidox Bombs The processes and techniques herein SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!

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Devices

Reusable Explosive Device A cheaper, less dangerous way to stun kidnappers or terrorists holding hostages has been developed by Sandia National Laboratories.

Annular shaped charge for breaching masonry walls: A shaped charge and method of breaching reinforced masonry walls is disced. The shaped charge includes an annular liner located centrally between the ends of a cylindrical container filled with explosive. The device is placed in a pilot hole in the wall and is detonated simultaneously at the ends. The charge creates an annular radially expanding jet of explosive gases and fragments directed into the wall providing a man size opening therein.

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Articles

Explosives: An explosive is defined as a material (chemical or nuclear) that can be initiated to undergo very rapid, self-propagating decomposition that results in the formation of more stable material, the liberation of heat, or the development of a sudden pressure effect through the action of heat on produced or adjacent gases. All of these outcomes produce energy; a weapon's effectiveness is measured by the quantity of energy - or damage potential - it delivers to the target.

Plastic Explosives Usenet Message Thread Archive - While quite a few of these posts appear to be rational and well thought out/ researched . . . care to put your life on the line for that bet? Other threads archived include:

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