Disaster waxed

The sensitivity of AN to heat is always increased by the presence of.organic compounds, provided that the proportions of these do not exceed certain limits. Among the substances investigated are cellulose, paper, pulverized carbon, soot, sawdust, waxes, paraffin, TNT, NS, DNT and drip oil. For instance, the presence of 5% NS in AN increased the sensitivity to such an extent that the mixture detond when heated to about 150°. The presence of paper bags such as the containers for FGAN was a contributing factor to the Texas City disaster in 1947. 

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