Availability, military explosives

Experience has shown that the oxygen distribution in the products of a metallized military explosive favors the formation of the metal oxide. Any remaining oxygen then forms steam with the H of the expl. If any oxygen is still available it forms C02, and any unreacted C atoms then show up as free carbon in the products. (Confinement of the expls favors the formation of C02 and C at the expense of CO). In halogenated expls HX appears to be formed in preference to H20 and H2... 

Explosives of all types are made for commercial and military purposes in many countries throughout the world. It is, however, difficult to obtain any figures which give a worthwhile idea of the magnitude of the explosives industry. Military explosives are usually made under conditions of secrecy and no figures of output are published. Even for commercial explosives published figures are scanty and vary considerably from country to country. Data which are available are given in Table 1.1. 

Dynamites also are used commercially worldwide and often may be more available than military explosives. They may be effectively employed in sabotage, although they are less potent, less versatile, more sensitive to shock or friction, and may not be waterproof. 

Military explosives are required to meet stringent criteria because apart from a requirement for high performance, the military needs to be able to safely store them for decades, transport them anywhere from the poles to the equator, handle them under battlefield conditions, and still have them fuUy functional. In addition, availability of raw materials, ease of manufacture, and cost are important factors. Most candidate explosive compounds do not meet all these requirements. 

Nitrolysis is a term originally used for the rupture of a N-C bond leading to the formation of the N-NO2 group. A prime example is the nitrolysis of the N-CH2 bonds of hexamine to form the important military explosives RDX and HMX. Nitrolysis is the most important route available to polynitramine energetic materials. 

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS Ammonium Nitrate special purified product for industrial chemical use, available in solution, prill, and grained form. Also high-density grained material for formulation of military explosive compositions Composition D-2 Wax a densensitizing compound containing wax, nitrocellulose, and a wetting agent used in military explosive formulations... 

Military explosives must be physically and chemically stable over a wide range of temperatures and humidity for a long period of time. They must be reasonably insensitive to impact, such as those experienced by artillery shells when fired from a gun or when they penetrate steel armor. They are used for a number of applications. They are fired in projectiles and dropped in aerial time bombs without premature explosion. The raw materials necessary to manufacture such explosives must be readily available for production in bulk during wartime. 

Composed of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. Had been for 550 years the only military explosive available as a propellant now replaced by smokeless powder. For properties and present military and industrial uses, see Black Powder (With Potassium Nitrate), Blasting Powder A. 

TNN, which is actually a mixture of 3 isomers (as described above), is a yellowish to light yellowish solid with a melting point ranging from 190 to 215 Celsius (depending on purity). The solid is very stable, and can be melted and alloyed with many other secondary explosives to form thermally stable explosives compositions with a high resistance to shock, friction, heat, and percussion. TNN is freely soluble in chloroform, ether, and carbon disulfide, and is moderately soluble in alcohol, but insoluble in water. TNN is not used in military explosives to an amount that would warrant extreme importance for its existence however, TNN is rather inexpensive to make, and is readily available during times of war. It can be used for filling shells, bombs, and warheads, and has satisfactory power. ... 

Available at http //www.army-technology.com/contractors/exphsives/dyno/dyno2.html (DYNO ASA Military Explosives). 

There are many ways to classify explosives, some of which are military, civilian, high-order, or low- order. Few bombings involve military explosives (e.g., PETN, RDX, TNT), because their availability is severely restricted. The most commonly used explosives are dynamite and homemade mixtures containing black powder, smokeless powder, or chlorate and sugar. Table E24-1 lists several explosives and their common abbreviations. The structures of several of these are shown in Table E24-2, p. 580. 

Criminals and mentally disturbed or immature persons are both likely to be limited by the availability of materials and knowledge. In addition, criminals are quite likely to be more susceptible than the other groups to deterrence by visible and effective security measures. Thus, the first two groups — state-sponsored actors and non-state-sponsored terrorists — are the main threats on which explosives detection needs to focus. Unfortunately, this conclusion implies the need for detection of military, commercial, and improvised explosives and does not greatly help in narrowing down the issues. 

The energetic nature of the N-NO2 group means that At-nitro-based explosives are some of the most powerful explosives available and these have largely superseded aromatic C-nitro compounds for military applications. Many nitramines exhibit high brisance and high chemical stability in combination with a favourable low sensitivity to impact and friction compared to nitrate ester explosives of similar power. 

The Fido technology is currently under evaluation for use by U.S. military forces. The Fido X and Fido XT are available as commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items. Consequently, the technology is adequately mature for commercial deployment. However, as a platform technology, the AFP sensor and Fido detection system support broad application to meet explosives detection needs. Further, Nomadics has incorporated the amplification features of AFP into other sensor mechanisms aimed at the detection of analytes that are not explosives related, including other chemicals and compounds of interest in the biomedical and food safety fields. Thus, while the technology is mature enough for commercialization, its potential is far from fully exploited. 

Startech PWC systems are applicable to manufacturing facilities, hospitals, process plants, military sites, and municipalities. Systems have been used in the field to treat chemical weapon and explosive simulants. In addition, the vendor claims that the technology has successfully treated metals, such as lead and barium, during testing. The technology is commercially available in the United States and overseas. 

W.R. Tomlinson Jr E.E. Sheffield, PATR 1740, revised and published as Army Materiel Command Pamphlet, AMCP 706—177 (1967 1971) under the title "Properties of Explosives of Military Interest", Washington, DC 20315. Available as AD—814964 from Defense Documentation Center, Cameron Center, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314., Briefly reviewe d in Expls Pyrots 1(9), 1968... 

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