Explosives and initiators

Transition metal perchlorate, nitrate, and azide hydrazines are explosives. They are sensitive to friction and impact. Nickel perchlorate hydrazine is reported to be explosive even under water. Metal hydrazine complexes of azide and nitrate are highly sensitive to impact and friction and so decompose violently. Table 6.5 summarizes the impact sensitivities of these complexes as determined by the drop weight method [9]. 

Metal hydrazine complexes of azide and nitrate have been investigated as initiators. For example, the synthesis of nickel nitrate hydrazine [Ni (N03)2(N2H4)2] described in Chapter 3 has been commercially developed for use as detonators (blasting caps) in China. 

A relatively recent evaluation of the performance of nickel azide hydrazine manufactured by this procedure indicates it to be a safer, lead-free, primary explosive than lead styphanate or lead azide [12], For this reason it has also been explored as a charge for semiconductor-bridge initiators used for the initiation of high-explosive devices. Its best ignition performance parameters under optimal conditions have been evaluated by the same group [13]. 

Transition metal hydrazine complexes like [Cr(N2H4)3](C104)3 and [Ni (N2H4)3](N03)2 are considered to be novel explosives as their explosion parameters, such as shock wave overpressure, shock wave energy equivalent, and bubble energy equivalent are comparable to those of the classical high explosives [17]. 

---

Rossi, B.D. und Podugnakov, Z. G. Commerical Explosives and Initiators, a Handbook, Ubersetzung aus dem Russischen, NTIS National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield 1973... 

Velocity of Detonation, 4511 m/sec at d 0.88 in column 0.22 diam 5100 m/sec at d 1.1 Initiating Action, The minimum amounts of HMTD required to detonate 0.4 g of the following HE were determined by increasing the. amounts of HMTD until the amount of sand crushed was at a maximum. (Explosives and initiator were loaded in No 8 cap at 1000 psi pressure)... 

B,D, Rossi Z.G. Pozdnyakov, "Pro-myshlennyie Vzryvchatyiye Veshchestva i Sredstva Vzryvaniya Spravochnik (Industrial Explosives and Initiating Agents Handbook), Nedra, Moscow (1971)... 

Sa) B.D. Rossi Z. Pozdnyakov, Commercial Explosives And Initiators , Rept No FSTC-HT-23-587-73, Translation of Promyshlennye... 

Rossi, B., and Pozdnyadov, Z., Commercial Explosives and Initiators (translated from Russian), NTIS, U.S. Dept, of Commerce, 1973. 

Extension of the general synthetic method to the synthesis of vicinaD° and geminaD diazides and a,o)-diazidoparaffins ° is well documented. Some diazido compounds have received consideration as explosives and initiators . 

---