You are on page 1of 10

Appendix A

397
2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

398

Chart of Explosive Products Rate of Detonation [ft/sec (m/sec)] Reaction with Metals Stability in Storage Good when sealed

Type/ Category

Explosive

Other Name(s) Schwarzpulver

Formula or Composition

Color

Use

Method of Loading

Hygroscopic Very

Remarks

Information Source(s)

Low Black powder explosives

75/15/10: Black Potassium (shiny) nitrate, charcoal, sulphur

Fuses, pyro- Granular technics, press priming charges

>3000 (>914) None

Smokeless powder (single base)

Low smoke/ Gelatinized small arms nitrocellulose powder; poudre B (French)

Light brown to black

Propellant

Grains, akes >3000 (>914) None

Yes

Fair

Smokeless Ballistite; cordite Nitrocellulose powder (U.K.) (guncotton), (double base) nitroglycerine

Gray green Propellant to black

Geometrically >3000 (>914) None shaped as desired

Yes

Fair

Sensitive to Koehler, J. and impact, Meyer, R. friction, and Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 3334. sparks 1993. ~AND~ http://members. ozemail.com.au/ ~gmillar/ pyrotechnics/ bp.html Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 168, 283, 315. 1993. ~AND~ http://www. eugeneleeslover. com/USNAVY/ CHAPTER-2-1. html Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 117, 168169, 421. 1993. ~AND~ http://www. eugeneleeslover. com/USNAVY/ CHAPTER-2-1. html

Practical Bomb Scene Investigation

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Appendix A

Smokeless powder (triple base)

Nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, nitroguanidine (picrate)

White to yellow

Propellant

Geometrically >3000 (>914) None shaped as desired

Yes

Good

Pyrodex

Potassium nitrate, Black and others

Propellant

Granular

>3000 (>914) None

Yes

Good

Lowers Koehler, J. and muzzle ash Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 139, 248249. 1993. ~AND~ http://www. eugeneleeslover. com/USNAVY/ CHAPTER-2-1. html Black powder MSDS sheets substitute Manufactured four types by Hodgdon available Powder Company Amorphous powder Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 9697. 1993. Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p.181. 1993.

Primary DDNP Dinol, diazol explosives (diazodi(German) nitrophenol)

C6H2N4O5 (empirical)

Red-yellow Priming to brown charges; initiator

Pressed

21,700 (6600) Unknown conned

Yes

Good

HMTD (hexamethylenetriperoxide diamine) Lead azide

C6H12N2O6 (empirical)

White powder

Initiator Pressed improvised explosive

15,000 (4600) Most metals Yes

Poor

Pb(N3)2

Cream Initiator colored to buff

Pressed

17,400 (5300) Copper, conned zinc, metal alloys 17,000 (5200) None conned

Low

Good

Lead styphnate Lead trinitroresorcinate

C6H3N3O9Pb (empirical)

Orangeyellow to dark brown

Initiator

Pressed

Low

Good

Low thermal stability; sensitive to impact, friction, and sparks Decomposed Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. by atmospheric Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 212213. CO2 1993. Sensitive to Koehler, J. and static Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th charges ed. pp. 217218. 1993.

399

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

400

Chart of Explosive Products (Continued) Rate of Detonation [ft/sec (m/sec)] Reaction with Metals Stability in Storage

Type/ Category

Explosive Mercury fulminate

Other Name(s) Fulminate of mercury

Formula or Composition C2N2O2Hg

Color White to browngray

Use Initiator

Method of Loading Pressed

Hygroscopic

Remarks

Information Source(s)

16,400 (5000) Aluminum, No brass, bronze, copper, magnesium, zinc

TATP (triacetone triperoxide) Secondary Amatol explosives

Improvised C9H18O6; acetone, White hydrogen crystalline explosive peroxide, mineral acid Ammonium nitrate, trinitrotoluene (TNT) Ammonium nitrate, aluminum powder Ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, aluminum powder Yellow to dark brown

Poured loose

17,400 (5300) Poorly

Yes

Good if kept Sensitive to Koehler, J. and cool shock, Meyer, R. impact, and Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 228229. friction 1993; http:// when dry www.powerlabs. org/chemlabs/ fulminate.htm Sublimes Sensitive to Data sheet impact, friction, and sparks Widely Koehler, J. and varying com- Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th positions; ed. p. 7. 1993. shock sensitive Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 7. 1993. Good if kept Nondetonator Koehler, J. and dry and sensitive Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th indoors ed. pp. 1516, 50, 210. 1993.

Main charge Pressed

21,100 (6400) Yes

No

Practical Bomb Scene Investigation

Ammonal

Gray

Projectiles

Compressible 17,700 (5400) or pourable

No

Ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO)

Andex (German); anobel (U.K.); anolit (Norway); carbamite (USA); lambrit (Austria); austinite; iremix; pellite; anfomet; sulfamax; pakamex

Pink

Blasting

Poured loose; 800015,000 Reacts bulk (24004600) poorly with zinc and copper

Very

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Appendix A

Composition B Hexolite; hexotol Cyclonite (RDX), Light TNT, and wax yellow to brown Composition C-3 Plastic explosive; RDX, plasticizer plastite Yellow to brown

Main charge Cast in military ordnance Demolition Hand pack

25,600 (7800) None

No

Good

25,000 (7600) None

No

Good

Composition C-4

Plastic explosive; RDX, motor oil, harrisite diethylhexylsebacate, polyisobutylene binder

White

Demolition; Pressed; hand 26,400 (8050) None Main pack charge

No

Good

No longer produced preceded C-4 U.S. military demolition explosive also available from commercial sources

Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 63. 1993. Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 64. 1993. Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 64. 1993.

Detasheet

PETN, nitrocellulose, elastomeric binder Apcogel; red Nitroglycerine diamond; (NG), unimax; diatomaceous iredyne; irecoal; earth, ethylene petrogel; glycol dinitrate powderditch; (EGDN), dynashear; ammonium giant gel; helix nitrate, salt, PNG 80 sulfur, sodium nitrate

Dynamite

Red/ orange Demolition Shaped as 22,300 (6800) None (commdesired ercial); olive drab (military) Dark brown Main charge; Pressed; stick 5900 over Metal blasting, form (plastic 20,000 powders booster, or wax(1800over demolition coated paper 6100) tubes)

No

Good

No

Degrades over time

Sensitive to http:// impact, encyclopedia. friction, and lockergnome. shock com/s/b/ Dynamite ~AND~ http://users. skynet.be/ jeeper/ page58.html

401

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

402

Chart of Explosive Products (Continued) Rate of Detonation [ft/sec (m/sec)] Reaction with Metals Stability in Storage One-year shelf life

Type/ Category

Explosive Emulsion

Other Name(s)

Formula or Composition

Color

Use

Method of Loading

Hygroscopic Yes

Remarks

Information Source(s)

Hydromite; Ammonium White to emulex; nitrate, sodium gray emutrench; nitrate, water, coalmex 14E; microspheres, blastex; oil, wax, EGDN, powdermite; emulsier, apex; tovan aluminum ultimate; powder EMGEL series; HEF series; seisprime; dyno Ammonium picrate C6H6N4O7 (empirical) Red to yellow

Main charge Stick form 12,000 None blasting (heavy duty 19,000 demolition plastic bag or (36505800) paper tubes); bulk

Explosive D

Main charge Pressed in military ordnance

23,500 (7150) Corrodes metals; can form explosive salts

Yes

Poor

HMX

Homocyclonite; octogen

C4H8N808 (empirical)

Colorless crystals

Main charge Pressed detonating cord ingredient in explosives

29,800 (9100) conned

No

Good

Less Data sheet sensititive ~AND~ than http://www. dynamite to mme.state.va. impact, us/Dmm/Forms friction, and %20Index/ shock Regular%20For ms/Surface%20 Blaster's%20 Certication% 20Study%20 Guide.doc Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 14. 1993. ~AND~ http://www. eugeneleeslover. com/USNAVY/ CHAPTER-22.html Byproduct of Koehler, J. and the Meyer, R. manufacture Explosives. 4th ed. p.189, of RDX 257258. 1993.

Practical Bomb Scene Investigation

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Appendix A

Nitrocellulose

NC; guncotton; nitrocotton; pryoxylin; pyrocellulose

C12H14N6O22 (empirical)

White bers Ingredient in: explosives, propellants, smokeless powder Clear to Ingredient amber oil in: explosives, propellants, dynamite

Pressed

23,900 (7300) None

Yes

Nitroglycerin

NG; glycerol trinitrate; blasting oil; "nitro"

C3H5N3O9 (empirical)

Directly to the 26,000 (7600) Yes product conned (explosives, doublebased powders, etc.) 16,000 (4900)

No

Good

Nitrostarch

Starch nitrate; grenite

C6H7N3O9 (empirical)

PE-4

Plastic explosive 4

RDX, plasticizer

White to pale yellow powder White

Ingredient in Pressed explosives

Yes

Poor

Main charge Pressed; hand 27,000 (8200) None demolition pack

No

Good

Very sensitive to impact, friction, heat, and sparks when dry; relatively unstable Very sensitive to impact and friction, deteriorates to become more sensitive and unstable Basis for headachefree explosives British military demolition explosive Made in Portugal; common in Iraq

Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 240242. 1993.

Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 243246. 1993.

Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 253. 1993. Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 263, 276277. 1993.

PE-4A

Plastic explosive

RDX or PETN plasticizer

White

Main charge Pressed; hand 22,965 (7000) None demolition pack

No

Good

Pentolite

50/50: TNT, PETN White to yellow

Main charge; Poured; cast booster; demolition

PETN (penta- Penthrite; erythrite nitropenta tetranitrate)

C5H8N4O12 (empirical)

Colorless to Blasting Pressed white caps; crystals detonating cord; boosters; ingredient in explosives

24,300 (7400) Corrodes No most common metals 27,600 (8400) Slight No conned corrosion with brass

Poor

Good

Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 265. 1993. High brisance Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 271273. 1993.

403

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

404

Chart of Explosive Products (Continued) Rate of Detonation [ft/sec (m/sec)] Reaction with Metals Stability in Storage Good

Type/ Category

Explosive RDX

Other Name(s) Cyclonite; hexogen

Formula or Composition C3H6N6O6 (empirical)

Color

Use

Method of Loading Pressed

Hygroscopic No

Remarks High brisance; different methods of production

Information Source(s) Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 7073, 296. 1993.

Semtex 1A

PETN, plasticizer

Semtex H

RDX, PETN, plasticizer

Tetryl

Tetralite; pyronite

C7H5N5O8 (empirical)

White; may Blasting be dyed caps; pink detonating cord; boosters; ingredient in explosives Rouge Blasting; demolition; main charge Orange Blasting; demolition; main charge Pale Yellow Booster; ingredient in explosives

28,700 (8750) None conned

Pressed; hand 24,000 (7300) None pack

No

Good

Pressed; hand 24,300 (7400) None pack

No

Good

Pressed

24,800 (7570) None conned

No

Good

Tetrytol

Tetratol

70/30: Tetryl, TNT Light yellow

Booster; Cast demolition

TNT

Trinitrotoluene; triton; tritol; trinol

C7H5N3O6 (empirical)

Light yellow to brown

Main charge; Pressed; cast booster; demolition ingredient in explosives

24,100 (7350) Corrodes most common metals 22,600 (6900) None conned

No

Good

No

Good

Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 308. 1993. CzechoKoehler, J. and slovakian Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th trade name ed. p. 308. 1993. 70% Bullet Koehler, J. and impact Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th sensitive ed. pp. 345346. 1993. 30% Bullet Koehler, J. and impact Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th sensitive ed. p. 346. 1993. Important Koehler, J. and component Meyer, R. of industrial Explosives. 4th ed. pp. 371373. explosives 1993.

Czechoslovakian trade name

Practical Bomb Scene Investigation

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Appendix A

Torpex

TPX; HBX-3

RDX, TNT, aluminum

Silver-white Mines; depth Cast charges; torpedos; boosters

24,900 (7600) None conned

No

Good

Tritonal

Aluminum, TNT

Silver

Main charge Cast

22,200 (6770) None

No

Good

Watergel/ Slurry

Hydromite; Ammonium slurmex; nitrate, sodium blastgel; nitrate, Al dynogel; HD powder, plus; minerite; smokeless aquamex; powder, water, hydromex; hexamine, guar slurran; detagel; gum (crossgelfrac; linking agent) powermex

Gray to brown

Main charge; Stick form 14,000 None demolition; (heavy duty 22,000 blasting plastic bag or (43006700) tubes); bulk

Yes

One year shelf life

Bullet impact Koehler, J. and sensitive Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 374. 1993. ~AND~ Hopler, R., Ed. Blasters' Handbook. 17th ed. p. 108. 1998. Koehler, J. and Meyer, R. Explosives. 4th ed. p. 395. 1993. ~AND~ http://mihailru. freeservers.com/ shopping_page. html Less sensitive Data sheet than ~AND~ dynamite to http://www. impact, mme.state.va. friction, and us/Dmm/Forms shock %20Index/ Regular%20 Forms/Surface %20Blasters% 20Certication %20Study%20 Guide.doc Available in MSDS sheets rigid plastic manufactured cartridges by Omni and plasticDistribution, coated Explosives aluminum Products foil packages Division

Binary/two HELIX part explosive

Aluminum powder with other materials

Gray paste; Blasting; One part clear to booster; liquid, one light green rock buster part solid liquid demolition

18,000 Lead; 20,000 copper; (55006100) metal oxides

No (in Good in packpackaging aging); yes (out of packaging)

405

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

406

Chart of Explosive Products (Continued) Rate of Detonation [ft/sec (m/sec)] Reaction with Metals Stability in Storage

Type/ Category

Explosive Kinepak kinepack

Other Name(s)

Formula or Composition

Color

Use

Method of Loading

Hygroscopic

Remarks

Information Source(s)

Ammonium Gray/ white Blasting; One part nitrate and other prills; booster; liquid, one materials clear rock buster part solid liquid

20,700 (6300) Metal powder; copper; bronze

No (in Good in packpackaging aging); yes (out of packaging)

Contains no MSDS sheets NG; available in rigid plastic cartridges and plasticcoated aluminum foil packages

Practical Bomb Scene Investigation

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

You might also like