SABT 6 C Intro to Explosives Flashcards
2 ID 3 types of explosions.
-1 Mechanical Explosion
2 Chemical explossion
3 Nuclear Explosion
1 Define terms associated with the fundamental of explosives.
-Chemical explosives 1 low explosive 2 high explosive 3 Explosive Work or power 4 Brisance 5 Explosive train 6 Initiation 7 Explosion 8 Combustion 9 Deflagration 10 Detonation 11 Detonation velocity 12 Low order detonation 13 High order detonation 14 Sympathetic detonation
3 ID THE effects of an explosion.
-Positive blast pressure
1 positive pressure
2 Overpressure
3 Blast overpressure
Negative blast pressure
1 refection
2 shielding
3 venting
4 ID the categories, characteristics and safety precautions for explosives products.
-Low Explosive ie black powder, smokeless powder
Flash powder
- High Explosive
- Secondary High explosive
5 ID basic precursors used to make homemade explosives
-TATP -white crystalline powder, instability, unsuitable for commercial or military use
Made of acetone, peroxide, sulfuric acid
-HMTD -composed of hexamine, peroxide, and citric acid
6 ID elements of an explosive train.
- ordered combination of explosive necessary to achieve an explosion.
- fundamental in all chemical explosions
- may be initiated either electronically or non electronically
- some high explosives cannot be detonated unless a booster is added to the explosive train.
1 non electrical initiation -time fuse -Non electrical detonator 2 shock tube firing system (NOEL) -electrical STSTEM
What explosive that characterized by deflagration or low rate of reaction and the development of low pressure. This explosive undergo a relatively show chemical reaction and created a subsonic explosion (below 3,300 fps, below speed of sound). No shock wave is generated and the reaction is propagated by very rapid burning.____ explosive are typically classified as pyrotechnics and propellants.
-What kind of power does it have
Low Explosive (LE) -Pushing or heavy power.
Explosive that are characterized by a very high rate of reaction, high pressure development and the presence of a detonation wave in the explosive. During the process of detonation, the high explosive is decomposed into hot, rapidly expanding gas resulting in a supersonic explosion over (3300 fps). _____ explosive are chemical that can detonate.
-have the ability to _____or ____depending upon the _______
High Explosive (HE)
-push or shatter,
detonation velocity of the material
___ is directly related to the functioning velocity of an explosive.
-BC specific velocities are required to perform specific tasks, explosive manufactures may combine several explosive substance to achieve a particular velocity of detonation.
Explosive Work or Explosive Power
are unstable substances or mixtures of substance capable of undergoing sudden and violent decomposition or break-up. When they do they produce a explosion through great quantities of heat, energy and gas which are generated and released at very high speeds. ___ explosive include molecular explosive like TNT and nitroglycerin or composite explosive like ANFO and Dynamite
Chemical Explosives
Shattering or crushing effect of a sudden release of energy from an explosive, destructive fragmentation effect of an explosive charge on its immediate vicinity ability of explosives when detonated to shatter, rip or tear its surrounding (high detonation velocity)
Brisance
Ordered combination of explosive necessary to achieve an explosion
-initiation is the first step in the explosive —–
1. Fundamental process in all chemical reactions
2. may be initiated either electrically or non electrically
3 some high explosives cannot be detonated unless a booster is added to the ________
Explosive Train
This the first step in an explosive process
-it starts the reaction that leads to the explosion
Initiation
Dynamite is what type of explosive
High Explosive very fast
What is the sudden and violent escape of gases from a central point accompanied by high temperature, violent shock, and loud noise. Involve either a detonation or a rapid deflagration
Explosion
may be divided into 3 broad categories =: slow, rapid and instantaneous
Combustion
What is nothing more than normal burning, the heating of a substance as it reaches its ignition point.
Slow Combustion
What is referred to as explosion, if confined. In a internal combustion engine, the flame from a spark plug ignites the mixture of gasoline and air, resulting in an explosion
Rapid Combustion
this is called detonation. It is the ______ of the explosive substance from a solid or liquid to a gas. It creates ___
Instantaneous combustion
shock wave
Altho detonation is referred to as _____, there is an interval of time required for the explosive to be consumed.
Instantaneous Combustion
what is very rapid exothermic (burning), self propagating chemical reaction through un-reacted material at a velocity less than the speed of sound (below 3300)
Deflagration
_________ A chemical reaction given by an explosive substance which PRODUCE a _____ High temperature and pressure gradients are generated in the wave front so that the chemical reaction is initiated instantaneously.
- Detonation
- Shock wave
Speed at which the Shock wave passes through a column of explosives.
-range of 3300 to 30,000 fts
Detonation velocity
A. what is Either the incomplete consumption of the explosive or complete consumption, but at lower than optimum velocity
B. Cause of a low order detonation may include deterioration of explosive, poor contact between the initiator and the explosive, disruption of the shock wave due to air bubbles or impurities in the explosive, incompatible explosive, insufficient powers in the initiator, or a combination of any of these factors
Low order detonation
the complete consumption of the explosive at its optimum (highest) velocity.
High order detonation
the initiation of an explosive from the shock wave of another explosive charge in close proximity.
sympathetic detonation
What are the 3 types of explosions
Mechanical
Chemical
Nuclear
- What explosion involve the conversion of a substance such as water to gas in the form of steam. IE would be a water heater that overheats wo a pressure release valve, the result would be an explosion from build up of stem
- It does not involve the conversion of a substance to a different chemical composition, as with a chemical explosion.
Mechanical Explosion
-(strictly mechanical pressure without any explosive chemical reactions
1 This involves the rapid conversion of a substance, solid or liquid, into a gas. These material relatively small in bulk, are transformed into a large volume of hot gases in a fraction of a second
2 Generation of high pressure gas is the result of exothermic reaction here the chemical nature of the fuel is changed; expanding gases produces a shock wave
3 __ explosive contain their own fuels and oxidizers in the compound to propagate a constant velocity thru the explosive charge
4 oxidizers: potassiums chlorate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide
5 fuels : aluminum, magnesium, nitromethane, fuel oils and liquids hydrocarbons
Chemical Explosion
What contain their own fuels and oxidizers in the compounds to propagate a constant velocity through the explosive charge
Chemical explosive
Potassium chlorate, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide are what
Oxidizers
These are examples of what Aluminum magnesium nitromethane fuel oil and liquid hydrocarbons
Fuels
What explosion produce the most damage
1 fission, or the splitting of the nucleus of atom
2 Fusion, the joining together under great force of the nuclei of atom
3 Tremendous release of energy, heat gas, shock
4 Produces radiological alpha, gamma and beta fallout.
Nuclear Explosion
What are the two phases of blast pressure
1 Positive Blast Pressure
2 Negative Blast pressure
A. This is one of the initial blast effects of an explosion
B. is more powerful than the negative phase and is responsible for the majority of blast pressure damage.
Positive Blast Pressure
Occurs as the hot, expanding gases create a pressure wave that radiates outward from the explosion at high speed and with great force.
Positive pressure
______ is positive pressure, which will cause the body to sustain physical damage. Damage from this pressure will reduce with distant from blast
Overpressure
A. Pressure exceeding the ambient pressure manifested in the shock wave of an explosion (expressed in psi
B. Overpressure is the sharp instantaneous rise in atmospheric pressure resulting from an explosive detonation, which is greatly reduced with distance from blast
Blast Overpressure
The three types of pressure that belongs to Positive Blast Pressure
- Positive Pressure
- Overpressure
- Blast Overpressure
A. As positive blast pressure phase of the explosive moves outward from the origin of the explosive, it displaces, compresses, and heats the surrounding air creating a low air pressure condition behind the wave front.
B. When positive pressure phase dissipates, air rushes back to the area of origin to equalize the surrounding air pressure. Last 3 time longer than positive phase
C. Air rushing back towards the area of origin is called the negative pressure phase. This phase can cause 2ndary damage & can move items of physical evidence towards the blast seat. This phase is considerably less powerful than positive pressure phase but may be of sufficient strength to cause additional damage to property
Negatively Blast Pressure.
Name the 3 Blast Mitigation Methods
1 Reflection
2 Shielding
3 Venting
Occurs when the blast pressure wave strikes an immovable object in its path
Shielding
Occurs when blast pressure wave travel until they hit a surface and then reflect off of that surface, traveling in another
Reflection
Occurs when the blast pressure is able to escape a confined space
Venting
What is the Blast pressure effects on the human body
Blast Overpressure can cause
a. chest ruptures lung tissue admitting air bubbles into the arteries that travel to heart, brain & other organs.
b. cause internal damage to hollow organs (ear, lung, and GI tract)
C threshold for lung damage 15 psi
D overpressure of 35-45 psi may cause 1% fatalities
E overpressure of 55 to 65 psi may cause 99% fatalites
Threshold for lung damage =_____psi blast overpressure
15 psi
overpressure of ____ psi may cause 1% of fatalities
35-45
overpressure of ____ psi may cause 99% fatalities
55 to 65
in the brief instant of a high explosive detonation, the shock wave produce up to ____ times that of earths atmosphere also ____ psi
500,000
1,000,000
Velocities = how many FPS
3,300-30,000
1/10,000 second
700 tons/sq. in
13, 000mph
are measurements of what
Overpressure
what involves both the length of burn time ( usually measured in fractions of seconds) and intensity of temperature.
Incendiary /Thermal Effect
- This occurs when the blast pressure effect of an explosion breaks material into pieces (material which had been a part of the bomb casing or of objects nearby)
- These piece are hurled in the direction of the blast pressure wave at very high velocities causing additional damage.
Fragmentation
What deflagrate (burn ) rather than detonate, producing lower temperatures and longer burning times
1 are typically used as propellants.
Black powder and smokeless powder are two common low explosives
2 usually need to be confined in some way, even if it is self confinement (which can be achieved with quantity) in order to cause an explosion
Low Explosives
Pyrotechnics and propellants
Low Explosive are typically used as ____. What are two common low explosives ____ and ___
-usually needs to be confined in some way, can be self confinement with a quantity in order to cause an explosion.
Propellants
Black Power and
smokeless powder
___ is used in time fuse (safety fuse), in ignition trans as a propellant, and often in pipe bombs.
- it varies in color from black to grayish black, is sensitive to friction, flame, and sparks and is produced as granules that range in size from fine power to dense pellets about 5 centimeters (2 “) in diameter
- speed at which it burns is determined by the grain size.
- Large grains burn slower that fine grains
- when used in safety fuse burns at rate of 30-45 sec per foot
- does not deteriorate with age if stored properly but, may absorb moisture, reducing its effectiveness
- when dried out, it regains effectiveness= 75% potassium, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfer
Black Powder
___ is frequently used in the construction of pipe bombs and as propelling power in small arms, cannons, and rockets.
-It is sensitive to flame, heat and sparks.
-Gray or black
-can be produced in granular, wafers, logs, flakes, or balls
-
Smokeless power (low explosive)
What power can be single, double or triple base?
Smokeless powder
___ are powders that contain nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, and nitroguanidine powers
Triple base smokeless powders
___ are powders, usually propellants, containing two main componets: nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin or other liquid nitrate esters.
These powers are important solid rocket propellants.
Double base Smokeless powders
__ are powders which mainly consists of nitrocellulose and stabilizers as well as additives such as dinitrotoluene in some formulations.
Single base smokeless powders
Flash powder are what type of explosive and
what type of explosive is it considered when putting in storage
Low explosive
-High explosive
What are
1 Component in display shells: Finished aerial salutes and salute inserts
2 Filler typically found in M-80, M-100 type devices
3 silver in color due to presence of metallic powders (aluminum or magnesium)
4 high explosive for storage but is a low explosive
Flash Powder
____ compositions are quite prone to accidental ignition
-are reactive and can only be worked with when wet
Potassium chlorate (KC1O^3)
High Explosive fall with in what three categories
1 Primary High explosive
2 Secondary High explosive
3 Blasting agents
detonate, rather than burn, and are instantaneously consumed. They are used in construction, mining, demolition industry and the military to perform a variety of functions. ____ do not need to be confined to detonate
High Explosive
What are extremely sensitive to initiation by friction, shock, static electricity, heat, flame, or combination of these.
a. ignited easily and reach their detonation velocities upon ignition
b. Valued more for this extreme sensitivity than for their damage capability
d. can be easily initiated with the flame from a burning fuse or the bridge wire in an electric detonator.
Primary High Explosive
Because primary high explosive reach detonation velocities upon ignition, they are used in the manufacturing of ____ and ___ to initiate secondary high explosives. They are also used to manufacture ___ for ammunition.
- Commercial
- military detonators
- primers
What are example of High Explosives
DDNP detonators and priming composition
Mercury Fulminate
Lead styphnate poor initiator
Lead azide detonator and priming compositions
Used in detonators and priming compositions
Lead Azide
Used in priming composition. It is a poor initiator in comparison to other primary high explosives
Lead styphnate
is used in detonators and priming compositions
DDNP (diazodinitrophenol)
are relatively insensitive to shock, static commercial electricity, flame, heat, or friction
- wide range of senstitivity
- require the help of primary high explosive in order to detonate
- less sensitive to shock, friction, heat and static electricity
- require detonator to initiate
- stable for long time when stored properly (nitroglycerin based dynamite require special handling and storage considerations
- used as a main charge and sometimes as boosters for much less sensitive explosive, such as ANFO (ammonium nitrate + fuel oil mix)
- ava in commercial and military form light gray smoke when detonated
Secondary high explosive
What is ANFO made of
Ammonium nitrate, fuel oil mixed
What explode 20,000 feet per second depending on formulations
- also most common known commercial high explosive
- may be initiated by bullet impact if sufficient nitroglycerin is present
- oily liquid that may vary in color from clear to milky, extremely sensitive to heat and shock & friction
- desensitizers are used to make the finished product more stable
Dynamite
Nitroglycerin normally freeze at
12 celsius and 55.8 degrees fahrenheit
Military grade dynamite does not contain ___ but made of
_____ and ____
nitroglycerin and will not freeze
-RDX and TNT
a. is used to amplify the detonation wave from a detonator to achieve initiation of less sensitive explosives
b. most common sizes are 1/3 and 1 pound cast __
c. smaller ones can slip over a detonator to provide extra power to shock wave.
- also considered a high explosive
Boosters
TATP are what kind of explosive
HMTD
MEKP?
High
secondary High
Commercial ____ comes in a variety of sizes and is measured in grains of explosives per foot of cord. Size range from 5 to 600 grains per foot.
- can interconnect mult charges or be used to initiate a main charge 2ndary explosive.
- detonation depend on its size
- velocities range from 5490 to 7015 meters (18000 to 23000 per sec)
- come in numerous colors and is normally package in spool several hundred feet
- unlike time fuse, which have black core, this have a white (PETN) or (RDX) core
- PETN is used in this product, detonators, boosters, and primary compositions
-military ___ green
Det Cord
These products are produced as a less sensitive substitute for
dynamite
-Depending upon their sensitivity to initiation by a detonator, they may be classified as an explosive or a blasting agent
-Water may constitute between 10% and 20% of some formulas. these products may become insensitive after prolonged periods of storage
-_____ are blended mixtures of emulsified parfin or oils, ammonium nitrate, and density control materials such as micro-balloons.
Water gels/slurries and emulsions
This is also known as cyclonite and is used in det cord, as a base charge in detonators, and mixed with plasticizers to make plastic explosives like C-4 and Semtex, a byproduct of this is HMX homocyclonite
RDX
this detonates at apprx 6,905 meters (22,637 feet) per second
- used as the standard by which most other explosives are measured
- my be combined with other ingredients to form many different types of explosive compounds
- military blocks come in 1/4, 1/2 an 1 pound configurations
TNT trinitrotoluene
This contains 75% RDX,
15% TNT
5% motor oil and
5% corn starch and no nitroglycerin
Military Dynamite (M1)
this is approx 91% RDX, 8% plasticizer, and 1% other ingredients, is a plastic explosive used by the military and normally is white.
- moldable, it lends itself to a variety of application, can be hand loaded into pre-manufactured shaped charges
- detonation velocity is approx 8,052 meters (26,400) per second. BC of this high rate of detonation, it has a shattering effect as opposed to slower dynamite that push or heave.
- 1 1/4 pound =M112 block, also ava in 50-60 pound cases
- military explosive are fuel rich, when detonated produce dark gray to black smoke.
Composition C-4
know as on of the most powerful explosive with detonation velocity of 29,900 feet per second
- small quantity used in most shock tubes
- used in oil field explosive products
- know as her majesty’s explosive
HMX cyclotetramethyleneteranitramine and octogen by product of RDX
plastic explosive, the military version comes in four 1/2 pound sheets n a M-118 block or on a 50ft roll called a M-186 roll
- Detasheet-C is DuPont’s trade name for this product
- ______ explosive are produced in a variety of thickness and normally are olive green in color
- Composed of 63 % PETN or RDX, 8 percent nitrocellulose and 29% binding material.
- Detonates at different velocities, depending upon the % of high explosive present
- Commercial version comes in red and detonates at velocities over 7,686 meters (25, 200) feet per second
Flex X Flexible sheet Explosive
________ created sustained temperatures and overpressure in confined structures, such as caves, tunnels or harden structures. They are fuel-rich explosive that use oxygen from the target to create a longer burn time than conventional explosive, making it more effective in caves and tunnels, while, in a sense, sucking the air from the confined space
Thermobaric Explosives (dont need to know)
Becomes detonator sensitive only after the two parts have been mixed.
- Two components are the fuel (nitromethane or nitromethane, and the oxidizers or sensitizers. When mixed form a cap sensitive high explosive
- Primary fuels nitromethane or nitroethane
- Oxidizer: ammonium nitrate used in kinestik/kinestik formulations.
- sensitizer Hydrocarbons (propane and isobutane), aluminum powder, diethylenetriamine (Deta) or microballons used in some formulation
- when unmixed not considered an explosive
- tannerite binary is used for explosive targets.
Binary (two part) explosives
The forces created by an explosion detonation are given off directionally at 90 degree angle from the surface of the explosive. This characteristic of an explosive detonation can be used to focus an explosive force. Focusing the force has advantages
1 BC the force is concentrated, it is greater
2 The explosive shape can be designed in such a way that the force performs predictable work such as cutting or shaped to cut circular holes
Shape Charges
What are the two basic type of shape charges
1 Conical charge
2 Linear charge
This shape charge punch a circular hole and focus the blast in a particular direction
Conical charge
This shape charge are primary for cutting, will also focus the blast
Linear charge
Materials that are intended for blasting and not otherwise defined as an explosive. Consist of fuel and oxidizer and cannot be detonated by means of a number 8 test blasting cap when unconfined.
B. consist entirely of components classified individually as explosives
C. Defined cannot be initiated by detonator alone, it require a booster for maximum detonation velocity, confinement & minimum quantity
D. Can be sold individually or can be loaded on site from bulk truck loaded
Blasting Agents
This product is manufactured as a water gels/ slurries, emulsions, and ANFO products
Blasting Agent
ANFO is the most widely used _____ and it is a mixture of 94% prilled ammonium nitrate and 6% diesel fuel.
-can be modified to become detonator sensitive by reducing ammonium nitrate particles size and or adding of efficient fuels such as aluminum powders
Blasting Agent
What are two of the more popular HME (non commercial )found on the internet
TATP
HMTD
This HME appears white crystalline powder. Its instability cause it to be unsuitable for commercial or military use.
-composed of acetone, peroxide and sulfuric acid
TATP
This HME has little commercial or military use, composed of hexamine, peroxide and citric acid.
HMTD
In this the explosion, a fuse igniter (either percussion primer or pull friction type) or a match is the first step that leads to an explosion ie are
- Fuse igniter or match used to ignite time fuse to initiate a smokeless powder filled pipe bomb
- Fuse igniter attached to time fuse transmits a spit of flame to a non-electric detonator to initiate a block of TNT
Non electrically initiated
This is also know as a safety fuse, has a black powder core with an external arm winding to adjust the combustion rate usually between, 30-45 sec per foot
- Can be lit with a match, fuse igniter or other source of flame
- Approx 3 pounds of black powder makes 1000 feet of ______
Time fuse
- Extremely sensitive to initiation thru heat, shock, static electricity, and friction and are used to initiate high explosives
- Flame transmitted through time fuse initiates the _____
Non electric detonators
- small plastic tube approx 1/8” in diameter, coated with light dustin of HMX and fine aluminum powder.
- 2500 ft spool, contain 11grams of HMX and aluminum powder, less likely to be accidentally discharged by static electricity than electrical firing system
- direct control of when explosion will occur unlike typical non electric detonator
- function like non-electric firing systems, except it sends a shock wave thru the tube rather than a spit of flame
- Detonators used with ____come pre-attached to and in various lengths and time delays. Have products like Primadet or E-Z det and are attached to the main ____ lead line
Shock tube firing system (NONEL)
In this electric system explosion a power source such as a battery initiates the process that leads to an explosion
Electrically initiated
This electrical system are constructed in much the same way as non-electrical detonators, except that a source of electricity is used to initiate the detonator
- electrical current is carried thru 2 insulated electrical wires
- A plug, inside the ___ holds the wire in place and a corrosion resistant bridge wire and fuse head is attached to the wires inside
1. insulated wires shunted (shorten) prevent accidental firing from stray radio frequency or static electrify
2. When electric current is applies, the bridge wire gets hot ignites the ignition charge and sets off primary explosive material inside_____
3. Millisecond delay connectors can be used to provide delay between initiators of explosive charges. These connections used in quarry blasting operations
Electrical Detonators
