Detonation rate cyclonite

Data concerning the rate of detonation of cyclonite reported by various authors are tabulated below (Table 19). 

In the United States a mixture of 60% cyclonite and 40% TNT was used under the name of Cyclitol as a filling for aerial bombs. The density of the cast explosive was 1.65-1.70, its rate of detonation 7800 m/sec, and in the ballistic pendulum it gave a value of 130 (100 for TNT). In the United States this mixture is considered to be only a little more sensitive to impact than TNT with a stability similar to that of cyclonite. This does not agree with T. Urbanski s [5] investigations according to which the sensitiveness to impact of such a mixture, in a powdered form, and its ignition temperature (225°C) approximate to the corresponding values for tetryl. 

Table 45 and the graphs in Figs. 65 and 66 summarize T. Urbanski s findings on the rate of detonation, the lead block expansion, the sensitiveness to impact and the ignition temperatures of powdered mixtures of cyclonite with TNT, of various composition. 

Fig. 65. The relation between the rate of detonation (density 1.04) and lead block expansion of mixtures of cyclonite and TNT, and their composition (according to T. Ur-banski [6]).

In Japan, the 94 M mixture consisting of 60% trinitroanisole and 40% cyclonite was employed for filling torpedoes and armour-piercing shells with hollow charges. Such a mixture solidifies with a density of 1.64, its rate of detonation being 7700 m/sec. In the United States a mixture of 75% HMX (Octogen) and 25% TNT was in use under the name of Octol. 

Plastic explosives with cyclonite as the chief constituent were used extensively during World War II. Cyclonite is preferable as it detonates easily even when strongly phlegmatized (desensitized to impact) and as its rate of detonation is very high. 

Or, in a scientific journal, a chemist may see a reference to the exceptionally high rate of detonation of cyclotri-methylenetrinitramine. If he wishes to know if this product is made and used under some trade name, how much time will he spend before he finds out that it is Cyclonite for which he has been looldngp... 

Little can be added to the information given in Vol. Ill as regards explosive properties of Cyclonite. Interesting information was recently given by Institut I ranco-Altcmand de Rechcrches dc Saint l uis. France (186]. The rate of detonation of single crystals of cyclonite was found to be different along different crystal axis ... 

Price 1176] gave a description of the explosive properties of octogen (91%) desensitized with wax (9%) at density 1.71 it shows the rate of detonation 8680 m/s. Octol — a castable mixture of octogen (77%) and TNT (23%) gave the rate of detonation 8540 m/s (density 1.80). They are stronger than analogous compositions with cyclonite. 

A low rate of detonation is required for most operations connected with explosive working of metals. It is usually achieved by mixing explosives marked for their ease of detonation (such as PETN, Cyclonite) with a relatively large quantity of such oxygen carriers as NaNOa, KNO3, Ba(NOa)2. 

---