Desensitizing gums

CA 15, 1622 (1921) (A desensitized expl, prepd by mixing undried Nitrostarch with heavy petroleum lubricating oil and gum arabic, was insensitive to rifle bullet) 2)W.H.Ward, USP 1462753 (1923) CA 17, 3101 (1923) [A desensitized exp suitable for use in drop bombs and trench mortar shells consists of Nitrostarch 40 45, inorg nitrate (such as of Na or K) 32 40, heavy lubricating petroleum oil up to 5 and water 5 10%] 3)L.Wohler, SS 20, 166 (1925) (Desen-... 

Mercury nitride forms a chocolate colored powder, which is slowly decomposed by water. The dry nitride tarnishes in air, and is slowly decomposed in acidic media. The nitride is very explosive, and must be handled with extreme care. It detonates violently yielding a white flame with a bluish purple border, and also when heated. The salt can be detonated by rubbing it with a rounded glass stir rod—very friction sensitive. Mercury nitride also easily detonates by shock, or percussion. Handle with care never store dry keep submerged in a water free solvent such as kerosene in amber glass bottles in a cool place. It is advisable to desensitize mercury nitride with gum Arabic, paraffin wax, or starch immediately after preparation, and these mixtures should be carefully blended using a wood spoon or plastic spatula—metal and glass should be avoided. ... 

CDNTA form a white to bluish white powder, crystals, or granules. The crystals are sensitive to shock, friction, and percussion. CDNTA is a powerful primary explosive that demonstrates outstanding potential as a future replacement for mercury fulminate, lead styphnate, lead azide, and diazodinitrophenol for use in blasting caps and detonators. It should not be stored dry, and should be desensitized with dextrose, sulfur, starch, wood pulp, dextrin, or gum Arabic after preparation... 

CHAPTER 17 THE PREPARATION OF NITRO TETRAZOLES LNTA forms heavy, granular, yellowish white crystals, which are not very soluble in water—the crystals are more readily soluble in hot water. LNTA detonates when heated to 220 Celsius, and is slightly more percussion sensitive then mercury fulminate as a result, its use in priming compositions has been questioned, but it can be safely desensitized by mixing with dextrose, flour, or gum Arabic immediately after preparation. The desensitized product can be successfully used in priming compositions for use in bullet primers and the like. ... 

Acetone-Pis an unstable, white powder or crystalline mass with a melting point of 90 to 93 Celsius. The solid is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether and tetrahydrofuran. It is quite unstable and is rarely used in military or commercial explosives. However it can be utilized as a primary explosive in blasting caps or detonators when desensitized with appropriate materials. To do so, it should be mixed with gum Arabic, carbon black, tri sodium phosphate, chalk, or silicon dioxide powder, and then mixed with a small amount of paraffin s or saturated oils prior to use. Acetone-P can also be slurried with 10% water and 5% hexane for use in blasting caps or detonators. Pure acetone-P should not be used by itself, as it will decay over time potentially leading to explosions. Acetone-P is rather volatile, and a small sample left out in the open will completely evaporate after several days—partly due to decomposition. Acetone-P can also be used in initiating compositions when mixed with sulfur nitride or other primary explosives, and then added to a small amount of a saturated oil. The sulfur nitride and other primary explosives can be replaced by bari urn chromate, copper perchlorate, or lead chromate. Even when acetone-P has been successfully desensitized, it should be used withi n 2 weeks of preparation. ... 

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