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Bomb Squad Study Guide > Conventional Explosives > Flashcards

Conventional Explosives Flashcards

1
Q

What is an explosion

A

The sudden and rapid escape of gases from a confined space, accompanied by high temperatures, violent shock and loud noise

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2
Q

Types of explosions

A

Mechanical

Nuclear

Chemical

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3
Q

What is a mechanical explosion

A

A mechanical explosion occurs when pressure inside a container overcomes the strength of the container, causing it to rupture

A container IS required for a mechanical explosion to occur

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4
Q

What is a nuclear explosion

A

A nuclear explosion may be induced either by fission (the splitting of the nuclei of atoms) or fusion (the joining together under great force of the nuclei of atoms)

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5
Q

What is a chemical explosion

A

A chemical explosion is defined as the extremely rapid conversion of a solid or liquid explosive compound into gases having a much greater volume than the substance from which they are generated

A container is NOT REQUIRED for a chemical explosion to occur

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6
Q

Nature of chemical explosions

A

Most commonly encountered by public safety personnel

In all chemical explosion’s, the changes that occur are the results of combustion or burning. Combustion of any type produces several well-known effects such as heat light and release of gases

  • Ordinary combustion
  • Rapid combustion (explosion)
  • instantaneous combustion (detonation)
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7
Q

What is ordinary combustion

A

A combustible material (something that can be burned) and a supporter of combustion (something that will stimulate burning) must be brought together and the temperature raised to the point of ignition. The most effective supporter of combustion is oxygen

Air contains 21 parts of oxygen and serves as the most common Source of support for combustion

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8
Q

What is rapid combustion (explosion)

A

An example of rapid combustion is the automobile engine. Inside the cylinder of the engine, combustible fuel (gasoline) is mixed with a combustion supporter (air) and the mixture is raised close to ignition temperature by compression. When I spark plug ignites the mixture, rapid combustion (explosion) occurs

An explosion is merely a rapid form of combustion

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9
Q

What is instantaneous combustion (detonation)

A

Detonation is the most rapid form of combustion

The example given shows that a garden hose filled with RDX (a high explosive with a detonation velocity of 27,400 FPS) filled at a length of 27,400 feet, it would take 1 second for the detonation at one end to reach the other end

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10
Q

What are the effects of an explosion

A

The block or stick of chemical explosive material is instantaneously converted from a solid into a rapidly expanding mass of gases.

The definition of a chemical explosive will produce three primary effects that include:

1- Fragmentation
2- Incendiary
3- Blast pressure

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11
Q

What is radiation effect

A

The radiation affect is only found if nuclear material is present in the bomb.

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12
Q

What is the fragmentation effect

A

A simple fragmentation bomb can be composed of an explosive placed inside a length of pipe that has end caps screwed into place. When the explosive is detonated not only will the blast pressure effect produce damage, but shattered fragments of the pipe will be hurled outward

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13
Q

What is the difference between primary fragmentation and secondary fragmentation

A

Primary fragmentation is from the actual explosive or device

Secondary fragmentation is fragmentation made up of adjacent objects that are energized from the blast and set in motion

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14
Q

How fast does the average bomb fragmentation travel

A

The average bomb fragment will reach 2700 FPS a few feet from the point of detonation. The speed is similar to a bullet from a military rifle and will follow a trajectory path similar to the bullet eventually falling to the earth or striking an object

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15
Q

Describe the fragments resulting from a high explosive versus a low explosive

A

High explosive fragments will be stretched, torn, and thinned due to the tremendous heat and pressure produced by the explosion

Low explosive fragments will not have this effect and typically have a uniform size shape and weight

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16
Q

What is serration or pre-engraving

A

This is the technique of grooving that is applied to hand grenades

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17
Q

What is shrapnel

A

Pre-cut or preformed objects (ball bearings, nails, fence staples) that are placed inside or attached outside of the bomb

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18
Q

What is the difference between the Incendiary thermal effect for a low explosive versus a high explosive

A

Lower explosives will produce a longer incendiary thermal affect and a high explosive or produce a much higher temperature

Incendiary thermal effects are generally the least damaging of the three primary detonation effects

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19
Q

What is radiant heat

A

The incendiary thermal effect that is usually seen as a bright flash (fireball) And last for a fraction of a second at the instant of detonation

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20
Q

What is direct flame

A

Direct flame is a contact burn that is longer in duration and can last up to several minutes

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21
Q

What is the blast pressure effect

A

With a high explosive is that needed the solid charge is rapidly converted to a gaseous product. This occurs in 0.0001 seconds exerting pressure of 700 tons per square inch forcing atmosphere surroundings to rush away at 13,000 mph

The wave of pressure is called the blast pressure wave

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22
Q

What is the positive pressure phase

A

The positive pressure phase follows the blast pressure and creates a cyclone-like sudden and violent push causing debris to be moved away from the detonation point.

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23
Q

What is the negative pressure phase

A

After the positive pressure face pushes the surrounding air away and create a vacuum

The vacuum causes the compressed and displaced atmosphere to rush back to fill the void. This can cause a strong Gale displacing objects in the direction of the detonation

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24
Q

What is a secondary Blast pressure effect

A

Blast effects are enhance by confinement due to the reflection of blast waves by the confining surfaces. If a bomb detonates within a building there is considerable reflection of the blast waves from all the walls

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25
Q

Describe the focusing, reflecting, and shielding of the pressure wave

A

The pressure wave reflects off of objects and can either scatter or focus is energy in a different direction. Shielding occurs when the pressure wave goes around an object and then reforms

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26
Q

Describe Blast effects underground

A

Explosive charges whether on top or under the ground will create scoring or creators based upon the depth and type of explosive.

Personnel entering enclosed underground spaces near a recent explosion may counter atmospheric conditions with insufficient oxygen and toxic gases

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27
Q

Describe the last affects underwater

A

Blast affects underwater result in shock waves of extremely high pressure. Because water is non-compressible the shock wave travels faster in further creating more damage

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28
Q

What are energetic materials

A

Energetic materials are chemical compounds or mixtures of chemical compounds that are divided into three classes according to use

  • Explosives
  • Propellants
  • Pyrotechnics
29
Q

What is the difference between explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics

A

Explosives produce high pressure and are very fast

Propellants produce lower pressure in our slower

Pyrotechnics produce large amount of heat but less gas then propellants or explosives

30
Q

What is the primary requisite of a chemical explosive

A

The primary requisite is oxygen. Since an adequate supply cannot be drawn from the air, a source of oxygen must be incorporated into the elements called an oxidizer

31
Q

What is an explosive mixture

A

It is when fuel and an oxidizer are blended mechanically

I.E. pistol or rifle powder

32
Q

What is an explosive compound

A

And explosive compound is formed when fuel and the oxidizer are molecularly bonded

33
Q

What are the minimum components required to form an explosive

A

Fuel and an oxidizer

34
Q

What two oxidizers agents are currently used in manufacturing explosives

A

Nitric acid and sulfuric acid

35
Q

What is nitrating

A

Nitrating is the process of combining fuel with nitric acid

36
Q

What oxidizing agent is the essential ingredient in mini commercial explosives

A

Ammonium nitrate

37
Q

What percentage will an explosive grade of ammonium nitrate be

A

33% to 35%

38
Q

What are the most frequently used fuels

A

Powdered aluminum and magnesium

39
Q

What are low explosives

A

Lower explosives are said to deflagrate (burn) rather than detonate (explode).

They are used primarily as propellants

They do not require the shock of a blast in cap

40
Q

What are high explosives

A

High explosives must be initiated by shock

The arbitrary figure that separates high explosives and low explosives is 3,300 FPS

41
Q

What is high order detonation

A

Hi order detonation indicates that the explosive completely detonated as it was designed to do

42
Q

What is low order detonation

A

Low order definition is the term typically use to indicate that the detonation was incomplete or less than expected

Some factors could be

  • inadequate blasting caps
  • Poor continuity
  • deteriorated explosives
  • a booster wasn’t used when required
43
Q

What is an explosive train

A

An explosive train is a series of explosions specifically arranged to produce a desired outcome, usually the most effective detonation or explosion of a particular explosive

Think of a booster

44
Q

What is a low explosive train

A

A low explosive train is a two-step process.

The firing pin in a weapon converts the mechanical energy into a flame when striking the primer. The gas is produced and is used to drive the bullet through the bore of the weapon

45
Q

What is a high explosive train

A

A high explosive train use a two or three step train and typically uses a blasting cap

A two-step train would be a blasting cap inside of a stick of dynamite

A three-step train would be a safety fuse to a blasting cap inside of a stick of dynamite

46
Q

What are the characteristics of chemical explosives

A 
Sensitivity 
Energy
Strength/power
Sensitiveness/sympathetic 
Fumes 
Flammability 
Water resistance 
Hygroscopicity 
Detonating velocity
47
Q

What is energy

A

Energy is the potential for an explosive to do work

48
Q

What is strength/power

A

Strength/power Is an explosive’s ability to do useful work

  • Brisance-the shattering capability of an explosive
  • Cratering effect- Ability of an explosive to push, shove or heave a solid
  • Blast effect- The ability of an explosive to compress its surroundings by means of a shock wave of compressed air
49
Q

What are fumes

A

Fumes are toxic gases resulting from the detonation or burning of an explosive

50
Q

What is flammability

A

Flammability is the ease with which in explosive can be ignited by flame and heat

51
Q

What is water resistance

A

Water resistance is the number of hours in explosive can be loaded in water and still function

52
Q

What is hygroscopicity

A

Hygroscopicity Is the ability of an explosive to absorb moisture from its surroundings

53
Q

What is detonating velocity

A

Detonating velocity is the speed at which a detonation wave travels through a column of an explosive

High explosives range from 3,300 FPS to over 33,000 FPS

Low explosives range under 3,300 FPS

54
Q

What is the Munroe (shaped charge) effect

A

This is where the explosive is cut or shaped to provide opposing surfaces so the explosive force can be focused directionally

55
Q

What determines the speed and density of the jet in shaped charges

A

The angles of the walls

56
Q

What is standoff distance

A

The standoff distance is the distance the explosive is placed from the material to be cut

57
Q

Optimum stand off is a function of what

A

Detonating velocity, explosive density, the liner, and the cone angle

58
Q

What affects the efficiency and function of a shape charge

A

The type of explosive and the initiation point

59
Q

What are the two basic types of shape charges

A

Conical shape charge and the linear shape charge

There is also a flexible linear shaped charge (V shaped) that is a high explosive that provides a sharply defined cutting action

60
Q

What is the concentrated blast effect

A

This is the explosive for us that’s concentrated over a wide focal point giving tremendous thrust against an object. Deep penetration will not occur

61
Q

What is the Misnay-Schardin effect (plate effect)

A

This where a steel plate is loosely attached to the explosive designed to penetrate the object

62
Q

What is the spalling effect

A

This is where a large mass of explosive is detonated directly against the surface of a target. Shockwaves move to the opposite surface and overcome the strength of the metal causing it to fail

63
Q

What is the Fougasse effect (improvised shotgun)

A

This effect is an improvised directional munition constructed with pipe or tubing and is made very much like a shotgun shell

64
Q

What is shock tube

A

Shock tube is a small diameter, laminated plastic tube with an inside coating of aluminized HMX. When detonated, the detonation wave travels 6,500 FPS

65
Q

What is a Primadet

A

Primadet is shock tube with a blasting cap pre crimped on one end.

66
Q

What is black powder

A

Black powder is a little explosive they can also be used as a propellant.

Black powder is a physical mixture of potassium nitrate (75%), charcoal (15%) and sulfur (10%)

Black powder is referred to as being the most hazardous and dangerous of all explosives

Black powder is a mixture not a compound

Black powder is used in safety and time fuses and some ignitors

67
Q

What are the four classes of propellants

A
  • Single base
  • Double base
  • Triple base
  • Composite
68
Q

What consists of a non electric system

A

The basic priming materials consist of a non-electric blasting cab the safety fuse and the igniter

Detonation cord must be used if more than one charge is needed

69
Q

What is a safety and time fuse

A

It is used in general not electric demolition operations. It consists of a black powder core tightly wrapped with several layers of fiber and waterproofing material. The most common colors are orange and green but it can be any color The burning rate average is 30 to 45 seconds per foot

Bomb Squad Study Guide (4 decks)

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