Conventional Explosives Flashcards
What are the types of explosions?
Mechanical
Nuclear
Chemical
What is a Mechanical Explosion?
An explosion where the pressure inside a container overcomes the strength of the container, causing a rupture. A container is required for a mechanical explosion to occur.
What is a Nuclear Explosion?
A nuclear explosion is caused by either fission (the splitting of the nuclei of atoms) or fusion (the joining together under force of the nuclei of atoms) causing the release of energy, heat, gas and shock.
What is a Chemical Explosion?
The extreme rapid conversion of a solid or a liquid explosive compound into gases having a much greater volume then the substances from which they are generated. A container is not required for a chemical explosion to occur.
What are the three effects of a chemical explosion?
1) Fragmentation
2) Incendiary
3) Blast pressure
What are the three classes of energetic material?
1) Explosives
2) Propellants
3) Pyrotechnics
What are the three types of combustion?
1) Ordinary Combustion
2) Rapid Combustion (explosion)
3) Instantaneous combustion (detonation)
Air contains what supporter of combustion and in what ratio?
oxygen at 21 parts
Detonation can be defined as?
Instantaneous combustion (However even in detonation there must be some interval)
What is the average velocity of a bomb fragment (measured a few feet from detonation)?
2,700 fps (the approximate speed of a bullet fired from a military rifle)
What is the difference between primary and secondary fragmentation?
Primary fragmentation is from the bomb casing, secondary fragmentation is made up of adjacent objects energized by the blast.
Describe the appearance of fragments from a bomb with high explosive filler?
a stretched, torn and thinned configuration due to tremendous heat and pressure produced by the explosion.
Describe the appearance of fragments from a bomb with low explosive filler?
larger fragments lacking a stretched or thinned configuration.
What will grooving (serration or pre-engraving) a bomb achieve?
fragments produced will have a uniform size, shape and weight.
What is shrapnel?
Pre-cut or pre-formed objects (i.e., nails, ball bearings, or fence staples) that are placed either inside the bomb or attached on the outside.
What is the advantage of shrapnel?
Part of the energy released during the explosion is used to propel the shrapnel rather than being expended in fracturing the case body.
What is the incendiary thermal effect known as radiant heat?
The bright flash (fireball) lasting a fraction of a second at the instant of detonation.
What is the incendiary thermal effect known as Direct Flame?
A contact burn that is longer in duration and can last up to several minutes.
What is generally the least damaging of the three primary detonation effects?
Incendiary Thermal Effect
In a high explosive detonation how fast does the conversion from solid charge to gaseous product take?
0.0001 seconds
In a high explosive detonation how fast do the gases rush away from the point of detonation?
13,000 miles per hour
In a high explosive detonation how much pressure is exerted on the surrounding atmosphere?
700 tons per square inch
How much available energy is used to expand the bomb casing?
half with the remainder used to compress the surrounding environment.
What is the shock front?
The compressed layer of air formed at the instant of detonation that is the leading edge of the positive pressure wave (visible in some cases as a white rapidly expanding circle).
Describe the shock front and positive pressure wave effect on objects?
The shock front delivers a massive blow followed by the strong winds of the positive pressure wave.
Describe the negative pressure phase?
The positive pressure wave pushes outward from the point of detonation leaving a partial vacuum in the area surrounding the detonation. This partial vacuum causes the compressed and displaced atmosphere to reverse movement and rush in to fill the void.
The negative pressure phase lasts how long compared to the positive pressure phase?
Three times as long (though less powerful).
What is the most powerful of the explosive detonation effects?
The Blast Pressure Effect.
What are the secondary Blast Pressure Effects?
Focusing, Reflecting, and Shielding of the pressure wave.
If an explosive charge is detonated underground the pressure exerted causes?
A radius or rupture
How is a crater caused?
When the explosive charge burial depth is less than the radius or rupture.
Why is the crater from an explosive charge on the surface of the ground shallower than one placed underground?
Due to the scouring action of gases projected downward from the explosive charge.
What is a Camouflet?
An underground cavity caused by an explosive buried at a depth exceeding the radius or rupture.
What should personnel entering an underground space after a recent explosion be concerned with?
Atmospheric conditions with insufficient oxygen and toxic gases.
Why do explosive charges detonated underwater produce damage at greater distances?
Water is not compressible, so it absorbs energy and transmits it in a shock wave much faster and farther.
Why are structural fires considered a secondary effect of a detonation?
Most structural fires originate from broken electrical circuits and/or ruptured natural gas and oil lines after the detonation.
What are the three types of energetic materials?
1) Explosives
2) Propellants
3) Pyrotechnics
What is an Energetic Material?
Chemical compounds, or mixtures of Chemical compounds, that are divided into three classes according to use.
What is the difference between explosives and propellants?
Both produce large volumes of hot gases in a short time, the rate at which the reaction proceeds is the difference.
Describe pyrotechnics as an energetic material?
Pyrotechnics produce a large amount of heat but much less gas than propellants or explosives.
Describe propellants as an energetic material?
Propellants have a slower reaction process and produce lower pressure over a longer period of time capable of propelling objects.
Describe explosives as an energetic material?
Explosives have a fast reaction that produces a very high pressure shock capable of shattering objects.
What is an Oxidizer?
A source of oxygen incorporated into the combustible elements of an explosive.
What do all explosive compositions contain?
Oxidizers and Fuels.
When a fuel and oxidizer are blended mechanically what is formed?
An explosive mixture.
What is formed when a fuel and oxidizer are molecularly bonded?
An explosive compound.
What are two oxidizers currently used in manufacturing explosives?
1) Nitric Acid
2) Sulfuric Acid
What is Nitrating?
The process of combining fuel with nitric acid.
What oxidizing agent is used in common fertilizer?
Ammonium Nitrate (8-13%)
What is the typical concentration of Ammonium Nitrate in commercial explosives?
33-35%
What is the most frequently used fuels in explosives?
Powered Aluminum and Magnesium.
How are explosives commonly classified?
By velocity of detonation or deflagration is used to distinguish between high and low explosives.
What is Deflagrate?
Burn
What is detonate?
explode
Do low explosives Deflagrate or Detonate?
Deflagrate
What are low explosives primarily used for?
Propellants.
Describe the forces exerted by a low explosive?
Rapid pushing effect.
How can the combustion process of low explosives be started?
Application of a simple flame, acid/flame reaction, shock or friction, but do not require the shock of a blasting cap.
What are high explosives designed to do?
Shatter and Destroy.
What are the range of detonation velocities for high explosives?
3,300 fps to 29,900 fps. (or 33,000 fps per page 21)
What is the arbitrary detonation velocity that separates low explosives from high explosives?
3,300 fps.
What is the general difference between detonating high and low explosives?
high explosives must be initiated by shock.
What is the most common means to initiate the detonation of high explosives?
A blasting cap.
What is the detonation wave?
The internal shock wave that radiates outward form the point of initiation in the explosive material.
What is detonation velocity?
Maximum sustained velocity of the detonation wave as it moves through the explosive material, measured in fps or mps.
What is High Order Detonation?
The complete detonation of the explosive at it’s designed velocity.
What is Low Order Detonation?
An incomplete detonation or one with a rate lower than it’s expected rate.
What are four factors that can cause a Low Order detonation?
1) Inadequate Blasting Caps
2) Poor Continuity
3) Deteriorated explosives
4) Booster not used when required
What is an explosive train?
A series of explosions specifically arranged to produce a desired outcome.
What are the elements of an explosive train?
1) Initiator - small highly sensitive material
2) Booster - larger quantity of less sensitive, more powerful material
3) Main or Bursting Charge - least sensitive and bulk of the charge
What are the three major ways secondary explosives differ from primary explosives?
1) Small, unconfined charges (1-2 grams) of secondary explosives, even ignited, do not transfer easily from deflagration to detonation.
2) Except for dust clouds, ignition by electrostatic spark is difficult.
3) The shock required for detonation is much greater for secondary explosives than for primary explosives.
What is an example of a low explosive train?
A round of small arms ammunition.
How are explosive trains classified?
As high or low depending on the final material in the train.
What does sensitivity refer to in an explosive?
The amount of external force or effect needed to cause detonation.
What is the normal explosive train used with high explosives?
two or three step train.
Describe a three step explosive train?
A low explosive (black powder), primary explosive (blasting cap), Secondary explosive (booster) and then a larger quantity of an insensitive Secondary explosive (varies).
What is an explosive firing train?
A series of explosions arranged to achieve a desired end result. If the explosive train is broken or interrupted the main charge will not detonate.
What are the nine characteristics of chemical explosives?
1) Sensitivity
2) Energy
3) Strength/Power
4) Sensitiveness/Sympathetic
5) Fumes
6) Flammability
7) Water Resistance
8) Hygroscopicity
9) Detonating Velocity
Describe sensitivity as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
The minimum amount of energy, pressure or power required to initiate an explosive.
What is the difference in sensitivity between military and commercial explosives?
Military explosives are less sensitive to initiation than commercial explosives.
Describe energy as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
Energy is the potential for an explosive to do work.
Describe strength/power as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
An explosive’s ability to do useful work. Brisance, Cratering Effect and Blast Effect.
Describe sensitiveness/sympathetic as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
A measure of an explosive to propagate from a donor, and initiate an acceptor (receptor).
What is Brisance?
The shattering capability of an explosive.
What is Cratering Effect?
The ability of an explosive to push, shove, or heave a solid.
What is Blast Effect?
The ability of an explosive to compress it’s surroundings by means of a shock wave or compressed air.
Describe Fumes as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
Toxic gases resulting from the detonation or burning of an explosive.
Describe Flammability as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
The ease with which an explosive can be ignited by flame or heat.
Describe Water resistance as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
The number of hours an explosive can be loaded in water and still function.
Describe Hygroscopicity as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
The ability of an explosive to absorb moisture from it’s surroundings.
Describe Detonating Velocity as a characteristic of chemical explosives?
The speed at which a detonation wave travels through a column of explosive.
Describe the difference between the work low explosives perform versus high explosives?
Low explosives push or heave and high explosives shatter.
Forces created by detonating explosives will be given off how?
Directionally at 90 degree angles (right angles) away from the explosive.
Explosives cut or shaped with opposing surfaces will?
provide explosive force focused directionally and have a greater effect in the focused area, ounce for ounce, as mass explosives.
How is the improved effectiveness of shaped charges caused?
The focusing of hot gases released during detonation.
What are the linings of most manufactured shaped charges?
Steel, Cooper or Glass.
What are shaped or cavity charges used for?
To punch holes in steel, concrete and other materials.
What are the parts of the shaped charge explosive blast?
The jet, composed of the liner of the cone walls. The Jet is broken down into the tip, which is the material of the apex of the cone moving the fastest and the slug, which is the remainder of the material of the cone following at a slower velocity.
What are the factors effecting the efficiency of shaped charges?
1) The angle of the walls of the cone.
2) Standoff distance.
3) Type of explosive
4) Initiation point
What do the angle of the walls in a shaped charge determine?
Speed and density of the Jet.
What are the general cone angles of a shaped charge?
Between 30-80 degrees.
What is optimum stand off distance a function of?
detonation velocity, explosive density, the liner and cone angle.
What is the standard formula for standoff distance of military shaped charges?
One and One half times the the cone diameter.
What are the two basic types of shaped charges?
The conical shaped charge and the linear shaped charge.
What is a FLSC?
Flexible Linear Shaped Charge. A V-shaped, flexible metal tube containing a high explosive core. Can be used to cut a variety of materials to fairly close tolerances.
Define primary explosives?
explosives used to react to the initiating pulse (mechanical, chemical or electrical) and in turn initiate other explosives.
What is the most important quality of primary explosives?
Their extreme sensitivity to initiation by shock, friction, flame, heat or any combination of these.
What are four commonly used primary explosives?
1) Mercury Fulminate
2) Lead Styphnate
3) Lead Azide
4) Diazodinitrophenol (DDNP)
Primary explosive used in electric and non-electric blasting caps are detonated by what?
Heat or flame.
Primary explosives in military fuzes are usually initiated by?
Shock of impact or heat producing friction.
Secondary explosives are relatively insensitive to?
Shock, flame, friction, or heat.
What are the three stages of a basic three-step explosive train?
1) Primary Explosive - Detonator
2) Secondary Explosive - Booster
3) Secondary Explosive - Main Charge
Name four common secondary explosives?
1) TNT
2) RDX
3) Tetryl
4) PETN
What are Binary Explosives?
Explosives containing two chemical components, a Fuel and an Oxidizer, which when separated are classed non-explosive, but when mixed become a high explosive.
Name three Binary explosives?
1) Atlas Kinestik, Kinepak, ect.
2) EXCOA Astrolite and Hercules Saf-T-Pak
3) Thermex (Formerly Nipak)
What are the components of Atlas Kinestik, Kinepak, Etc?
Ammonium Nitrate powder/Prills and Nitromethane (hobby model fuel). Detonation velocity between 14,000-20,000 fps. Bottles, sticks or packs.
What are the components of EXCOA Astrolite or Hercules Saf-T-Pak?
Ammonium Nitrate prills and Hydrazine. Reacts with most metals to form explosive salts. Equal to 40-60% dynamite. WARNING: Reacts with Tetryl (Booster Explosive) and may cause detonation.
What are the components of Thermex?
Ammonium Nitrate and Nitromethane. Gold label 100 FR and 200 FR pouches and sticks. Velocity higher than most binary explosives.
What is Black powder made of?
A mixture of Potassium Nitrate (75%), Charcoal (15%) and Sulfur (10%).
What is the most hazardous and dangerous explosive?
Black Powder.
What forms of initiation is black powder sensitive to?
All of them.
Describe some attributes of black powder?
- Sizes vary from gravel sized pellets to powder and can be pressed into forms.
- The more it is confined the faster it burns.
- Water de-sensitizes it, but when it drys it re-sensitizes.
- Kept dry it does not deteriorate.
- It burns rapidly but does not detonate.
- It absorbs moisture readily.
What are the four classes of propellants?
1) Single-Base
2) Double-Base
3) Triple-Base
4) Composite
What are the circumstances where propellants can detonate?
1) The use of a blasting cap.
2) Process of Deflagration to Detonation.
What is the process Deflagration to Detonation?
A propellant burning in a confined area and producing high heat and pressure that leads to a shock wave and detonation.
What makes up a single-base propellant?
Nitrocellulose (nitrated wood cellulose or cotton), inorganic nitrates, nitro-compounds and nonexplosive materials.
Name the three types of single-based propellants?
1) Colludin - wood cellulose 8-12% nitrogen
2) Pyrocellulose - wood cellulose 12.6% nitrogen
3) Gun Cotton - cotton lintels 13% or more nitrogen
What are double-based propellants?
Compositions containing both nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. Mostly used for pistol/shotgun propellants. May contain 20% nitroglycerin.
What are triple-based propellants?
Propellants with three explosive ingredients with nitroguanidine as the major ingredient. The other two ingredients are usually nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose. Nitroguanidine produces lower flame temperatures and greater gaseous combustion products.
What are composite propellants?
Composed of a fuel such as metallic aluminum, a binder such as an organic polymer and an inorganic oxidizing agent such as ammonium perchlorate. Most contain neither nitrocellulose nor an organic nitrate. Used primarily in rocket motors and some are classified as high explosives.
What is Pyrotechnics?
The technology of utilizing exothermic chemical reactions.
Define pyrotechnics?
They burn with explosive violence and are composed of finely divided fuels such as metals, alloys and hydrocarbons mixed with oxidizers.
What are the two classes of pyrotechnics?
Class 1.3 and 1.4
What are class 1.3 pyrotechnics?
Flash powder-filled larger items. The filler are a composition of potassium chlorate and aluminum and sulphur. M80s, M100s, M1000s, mortars and salutes. Photo flash powder deflagrates with extreme violence, confined or not. It is extremely sensitive to heat, shock, friction and flame.
What are class 1.4 pyrotechnics?
Black powder-filled smaller items (lady fingers, smoke bombs, Ect.)
What are initiators and what are the types?
Any device used to start a detonation or deflagration.
- Detonators/blasting caps
- Squibs, ignitors, electric matches
What are detonators/blasting caps and what are the types?
Instantaneous (1-100 milliseconds) or long period delay (100 milliseconds to several seconds) detonators.
- Electric
- Non-electric
Name the three Non-electric detonators?
1) Fuse and Cap Systems
2) Shock Tube Initiating Systems
3) Detonatable Gas Systems
Describe an Electric Detonator?
Consisting of a metal shell, leg wires and bridge wire. The shell contains an ignition mix, primer charge and base charge.
Describe how an electric detonator works?
When sufficient electrical charge passes through the system, the bridge wire heats sufficiently to ignite the ignition mix, this ignites the detonating reaction to the primer and base charge. A short circuiting shunt must be removed before using the cap. The bare ends of the lead wires can be twisted together three times to provide a shunt.
What are the three types of fuse and cap systems?
- Safety Fuse
- M700 Time Fuse
- Nonelectric blasting caps/detonators
What are Squibs, ignitors and electric matches?
Initiators used to start burning or deflagration. Squibs are the same as electric detonators except they emit a high temperature flame instead of detonation.
What are the three types of squibs, ignitors and electric matches?
- Those having a metal shell
- Those having a perforated metal shell and plastic liner
- Those having no shell (open)
Note: Closed metal are the most dangerous due to fragmentation of the shell.
Describe safety fuse?
Used in general demolition operations. Black powder core tightly wrapped with several layers of fiber and water proofing material. Commonly orange or green.
What is the burn rate of safety fuse?
30-45 seconds per foot.
Why must additional precautions be taken when using safety fuse underwater?
The rate of burn is increased significantly due to added pressure.
Why should safety fuse be tested before use?
To determine the exact burning rate.
Describe M700 time fuse?
Similar to safety fuse and can be used interchangeably with it. Dark green cord, .20 inch in diameter with plastic cover. Recently manufactured will have single yellow band every 18 inches and double yellow band every 90 inches.
What is the burn rate of M700 time fuse?
Approximately 40 seconds per foot.
On safety and M700 fuse, what may occur in arctic conditions?
The outside covering may become brittle.
Describe Non-electric blasting caps/detonators?
Used for detonating high explosives. Rated in power according to the size of their base charge. They contain various initiating explosives.
What is a common sized blasting cap used in commercial explosives?
No.8 Blasting Cap.
What are some common initiating explosives used in blasting caps?
Lead styphate, lead azide or mercury fulminate.
Describe the M7 non-electric blasting cap?
Special military blasting cap, twice as powerful as the commercial No. 8 cap, used to insure positive detonation of generally less sensitive military explosives (C4).
Describe a shock tube initiating system?
Aluminized HMX (0.1 grain per foot) contained in a hollow tube that carries an explosive reaction to a factory crimped and sealed blasting cap. It is very similar to an electric detonator, except instead of wires and a bridge wire a shock tube is attached.
What is a shock tube easily degraded by?
Moisture, and therefore must be shielded from these elements.
What are the three advantages of shock tube initiation systems?
1) No EMR
2) No static
3) ease of “hook-up”
Describe a detonatable gas system (Hercudet)?
Obsolete in the United States but can be found overseas.
Describe Hercudet delays?
- Nonelectric delay blasting cap system
- A fuel and oxidizer mixture (oxygen and methane) is introduced into the firing network through a small plastic tube
- Mixture is ignited from specially-designed blaster
- Advantage: No detonating cord or noise
Describe Detonating cord?
Flexible cord with a center core of HMX (white-not readily used), RDX (pink), PETN (white or light grey), protected by a sheath of various textiles, waterproofing materials, or plastics.
How is detonating cord measured?
Grains per foot.
What are the common sizes of detonating cord used?
25-200 grains per foot.
What is detonating cord commonly used for?
Shots buried underground or underwater.
How must water soaked detonating cord be detonated?
From a dry end.
What are the types of instantaneous detonating cord connectors?
- Molded cylindrical plastic connector (Red Devil)
- Military M1 metal clip
Why are the types of instantaneous detonating cord connectors used?
They are not affected by long-time exposure to the elements and knots can loosen and/or fail over time.
Describe Millisecond delay detonating cord connectors?
Incoming Detonating cord initiates a detonator at one end of the connector, that in turn starts a reaction in the shock tube, and then initiates the other detonator, which initiates the outgoing detonating cord.
What are the two types of low energy detonating cord systems?
1) Simply a detonator attached to 4 grains per foot detonating cord.
2) Complex and versatile system that employs a combination of connectors, delay units and delay detonators and utilizes 2.4 to 4 grains per foot.
Describe a linear shape charge?
- Explosive core of PETN, RDX, HMX
- Sheath composed of lead, aluminum, copper or silver
- Detonating velocities are slightly lower than TNT
Describe explosive cutting tape?
- Utilizes DEMEX 200
- No harmful sheath fragmentation
- No toxic lead fumes
- Easily cut with knife
- velocity of detonation: 22,500 fps
- Reliable initiation requires a detonator of a greater strength than commercial No. 8
- Uses: General demo and rapid access
What is the Munroe Effect?
The shaped charge effect. That explosives give off force at a 90 degree angle away from the surface of the explosive.
What is Concentrated Blast Effect?
A Munroe shape charge placed directly against a steel object without standoff, deep penetration will not occur. However the explosive force will be concentrated on a wide focal point acting like a large fist striking the object, giving fantastic power in a concentrated area.
What is the Mislay-Schardin (Plate) Effect?
A mild steel plate loosely attached to the explosive which moves outward at fantastic speeds from detonation. If properly initiated it will travel 70% of the detonation velocity (20,000 fps in some cases).
What is Spalling Effect?
Occurs when a large mass of explosives is detonated directly against the surface of a target and at the opposite surface an interaction of shock waves occurs and breaks the metal.
What is the Fougasse (Shotgun) effect?
An improvised directional munition constructed with a pipe or tubing and made similar to a shotgun shell.
Name the 8 Hazards and Safety Precautions for explosives?
- Most Explosives are unstable chemical compounds
- Consider all explosives as toxic/poisonous
- Consider all residue(including fumes) as toxic/poisonous
- Practice good hygiene
- Protect against heat and flame
- Protect against friction
- Have a proper fire-fighting equipment available
- Protect against chemical reactions with other substances
What are the characteristics of Mercury Fulminate?
- Primary explosive
- Slowly being phased out for Lead Azide and DDNP
- Exhibits poor stability over long periods of time
- Old caps form dangerous explosive salts
- Found in copper caps
What are the characteristics of Lead Styphnate?
- Used primarily to make initiator more sensitive to percussion
- Considered a poor initiator as it cannot be used alone
- Static from the human body can detonate
What are the characteristics of Lead Azide?
- Excellent initiator for high explosives
- Used extensively as the intermediate charge in blasting caps
- It is the least sensitive of primary explosives, yet is stable and powerful
What are the characteristics of Diazodinitrophenol (DDNP)?
- 3X as powerful as Mercury Fulminate, not as stable as Lead Azide.
- Replacing Mercury Fulminate in blasting caps
- Unconfined it burns readily, confined it detonates readily
What are the characteristics of TNT?
- Nominal or laboratory standard explosive by which military explosives are compared one to another
- Detonating velocity of 22,600 fps
- More sensitive pressed than cast
- Letters “ol” or “tol” are a suffix for contains TNT
What are the characteristics of RDX?
- Detonation velocity of 27,400 fps
- Widely used as a booster and main charge
- More sensitive than TNT
- Used as a booster in blasting caps or a main charge in detonating cord
- Letters “cycle” or “x” indicate RDX
What are the characteristics of HMX?
- Made from the residue of RDX during manufacture
- Used in shape charges HEAT projectiles
- Used in detonating cord and primers
- Used in shock tube
Name some RDX mixtures?
Composition A: RDX and wax Composition B: RDX and TNT Composition C-4: 91% RDX 9% Plasticizers and Motor Oil Demex 100: Civilian C-4 Demex 400 Caulk
What are the characteristics of PETN?
- Most common use in commercial detonating cord
- Detonates at 27,200 fps
- Used as a booster or main charge in blasting caps or detonating cord and in explosive primers(boosters)
What are the characteristics of Nitroglycerin?
- About the same sensitivity as primary explosives with a detonating velocity of 25,200 fps
- It becomes very unstable with temperature changes
- made by pouring glycerine into concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid
What is the base for most Dynamite?
-with few exceptions nitroglycerin based explosives
What is the composition of most nitroglycerin based dynamite?
- Nitroglycerin
- Sodium Nitrate
- Carbon Fuel
- Sodium Carbonate (antacid)
- Sulpher
What are the basic types of dynamite?
- Straight
- Ammonium (extra)
- Gelatin
- Special Gelatin
- Military Dynamite
- Permissible Dynamite
What are the characteristics of straight dynamite?
Nitroglycerin is the only explosive present and it is marked as the percentage factor.
What are the characteristics of ammonium dynamite?
Made of nitroglycerin and ammonium nitrate. Extra means added material and equivalent means strength same as straight.
What are the characteristics of gelatin dynamite?
A mixture of nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose, lower in strength, insoluble in water and less sensitive to friction.
What are the characteristics of special gelatin dynamite?
A mixture of nitroglycerin, ammonium nitrate and nitrocellulose, lower velocity and less water resistant than gelatin.
What are the characteristics of military dynamite?
A mixture of 75% RDX, 15% TNT, 5% corn starch, %5 plasticizer and SAE 10 motor oil. Equivalent to 60% strength dynamite. Not a permissible dynamite.
Describe a permissible dynamite?
Dynamite manufactured with controlled flame, temperature, volume and duration during detonation to minimize the probability of gas or dust ignition.
How are permissible dynamites identified?
A red band.
What are the characteristics of Detasheet?
- Military is OD in color
- Civilian is any color usually green or red
- Made of RDX or PETN (63%) and a plastic matrix
- Used as a cutting or welding charge
How is Detasheet measured?
Grams of explosives per square inch, i.e. C-1 = 1 gram of explosive per square inch.
Note: Military detasheet is normally obtained in sheets measuring 10 x 20 inches.
What is Demex 200?
Plastic sheet explosive consisting of 88% RDX and 12% Binder. Has high brisance and velocity.
What is Picric Acid?
A highly acidic and corrosive explosive that may burn without detonating. It is used in APHE projectiles and medical and commercial dyes. It is toxic by absorption and will dye the skin red, yellow or orange.
What is a slurry?
A thickened, acqueous, solution of oxidizer and fuel that is fluid and pumpable.
What is a water gel?
A thickened, acqueous, solution of oxidizer and fuel that is combined with additives to make it dimensionally stable and water resistant.
What do slurries and water gels contain?
Ammonium Nitrate and a sensitizer (booster) of TNT and aluminum.
What are water gels and slurries sensitive to?
caps or they may require a booster.
What are emulsion explosives?
Explosive products containing a mixture of water solutions of oxidizers and fuels. They have a high ratio of oxygen to fuel that gives them their special characteristics.
What are Blasting Agents?
Explosive products that are not cap sensitve and require a booster.
Name some Blasting agents?
- Ammonium Nitrate
- NCN (Nitro-carbonitrates)
- ANFO (NCN Blasting Agent)
Wat is Ammonium Nitrate?
The basic ingredient in all commercial blasting agents. It is a common fertilizer. It has a detonation velocity of 3,600 to 8,900 fps.
What is NCN (Nitro-carbonitrates)?
A blasting agent that is a mixture of substantially inorganic nitrates and carbonaceous materials. Not classified as an explosive and not sensitive to #8 blasting caps. Requires a booster.
What is ANFO?
A blasting agent that consists of 94% Ammonium Nitrate and 6% diesel fuel. The most sensitive of blasting agents it requires a high explosive booster and is desensitized by water.
What are Boosters?
Also known as primer explosives, they are explosives that provide the detonation link between very sensitive primary explosives (blasting caps) and insensitive main charge high explosives.
What shape are boosters usually?
Cylindrical.
What categories are boosters separated into?
cast and non-cast.
What do cast primers include?
- Containers (cardboard tubes, rigid plastic or none)
- Fillers (Explosives)
- Inner components that are adjacent to the priming holes(explosives)
What do non-cast primers include?
- Containers (Metal fill and rigid plastic)
- Fillers (explosives)
