Potassium-chlorate explosives

K. Yamamoto, Primary Explosives. III. Thermal Decomposition and Initiation of Primary Explosive-Potassium Chlorate Initiating Compositions , KKK 25 (3), 126-34 (1964). CA 61, 11839(1964)... 

All explosive materials contain oxygen, which is needed for the explosive reaction to take place. The oxygen can be introduced by chemical reactions (nitration) or by mechanical incorporation of materials containing bound oxygen. The most important solid-state oxidizers are nitrates, especially -> Ammonium Nitrate and -> Sodium Nitrate for explosives -> Potassium Nitrate for -> Black Powder and ion exchanged -> Permitted Explosives, potassium chlorate for -> Chlorate Explosives and for pyrotechnical compositions Ammonium Perchlorate (APC) for -> Composite Propellants. 

The reaction usually proceeds with explosive violence and a better method of preparation is to heat, gently, moist crystals of ethane-dioic acid (oxalic acid) and potassium chlorate(V) ... 

Various sulfides of the halogens are formed by direct combination of sulfur with fluorine, bromine, and chlorine. No evident reaction occurs with iodine instead, the elements remain as components of a mixture. Mixtures of sulfur and potassium chlorate, or sulfur and powdered zinc, are highly explosive. 

Fluorine causes a detonation in contact with potassium chlorate. This is put down to the formation of the following explosive ... 

When mixed with potassium chlorate calcium dihydrogenphosphate detonates as violently as with decomposition of nitroglycerine. It is probably the result of the explosive decomposition of chlorine dioxide, which is formed because of the presence of acid radicals in the phosphate. 

A zinc/potassium chlorate mixture is explosive on impact or friction. With potassium superoxide the metal glows. The same thing happens when a mixture of zinc and titanium oxide is heated or when nitric acid vapour is in contact with melted zinc ( 400°C). 

Barium sulphide has the usual dangerous reactions of sulphides (detonations with potassium chlorate and nitrate, combustion with phosphorus pentoxide). It catalyses the explosive combustion of dichlorine oxide. 

A nitrobenzene/potassium chlorate mixture is highly explosive. 

When used in detonators, mercury fulminate is frequently mixed with 10 or 20% of potassium chlorate. Such mixtures have a better oxygen balance and therefore give improved and more reliable initiation of other explosives. 

The second dip, or series of dips, is intended to provide a suitable flame which can ignite the initiating explosive in the detonator. These dips are commonly based on potassium chlorate and charcoal, again suspended in... 

Mixtures of aluminium powder with liquid chlorine, dinitrogen tetraoxide or tetran-itromethane are detonable explosives, but not as powerful as aluminium-liquid oxygen mixtures, some of which exceed TNT in effect by a factor of 3 to 4 [1], Mixtures of the powdered metal and various bromates may explode on impact, heating or friction. Iodates and chlorates act similarly [2], Detonation properties of gelled slurries of aluminium powder in aqueous nitrate or perchlorate salt solutions have been studied [3], Reactions of aluminium powder with potassium chlorate or potassium perchlorate have been studied by thermal analysis [4],... 

Mixtures of cyanoguanidine with ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, etc., were formerly proposed for use as powerful explosives. 

Explosion hazards of mixtures of lactose monohydrate with potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate or potassium perchlorate are assessed. 

Ruthenium is insoluble in aqua regia, but addition of potassium chlorate causes explosive oxidation. 

A batch of black powder, modified by addition of potassium chlorate, was being mixed mechanically with added water. A friction-sensitive crust appears to have formed, leading to initiation of the explosion which followed. 

Explosions were caused by transportation of metal castings in wooden kegs previously used to store potassium chlorate, impact or friction of the metal causing initiation of the chlorate-impregnated wood. 

Dry mixtures of barium phosphinate and potassium chlorate bum rapidly with a feeble report if unconfined, but even under the slight confinement of enclosing in paper, a sharp explosion occurs. The mixture is readily initiated by sparks, impact or friction. A mixture of calcium phosphinate, potassium chlorate and quartz exploded during mixing. Mixtures of various phosphinates and chlorates have been proposed as explosives, but they are very sensitive to initiation by sparks, friction or shock. Admixture of powdered magnesium causes a brilliant flash on initiating the mixture. 

The potential for explosive combustion of mixture of sodium chlorate-based herbicides with other combustible agricultural materials was determined. Initiation temperatures and maximum combustion temperatures were measured for mixtures of sodium (or potassium) chlorate with peat, powdered sulfur, sawdust, urotropine (hexamethylenetetramine), thiuram and other formulated materials. With many combinations, maximum temperature increases of 500-1000°C at rates of 400-12007s were recorded for 2 g samples. 

Action of chlorine trifluoride causes incandescence [1]. Manganese dioxide catalytically decomposes powerful oxidising agents, often violently. Dropped into cone, hydrogen peroxide, the powdered oxide may cause explosion [2], Either the massive or the powdered oxide explosively decomposes 92% peroxomonosulfuric acid [3], and mixtures with chlorates ( oxygen mixture , heated to generate the gas) may react with explosive violence [4], Cuban pyrolusite can be used in place of potassium dichromate to promote thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate in match-head formulations [5],... 

MRH Barium chlorate 5.06/83, calcium chlorate 5.61/77, potassium chlorate 6.07/76, sodium bromate 4.98/80, sodium chlorate 7.32/75, zinc chlorate 6.11/76 Dry finely divided mixtures of red (or white) phosphorus with chlorates, bromates or iodates of barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium or zinc will readily explode on initiation by friction, impact or heat. Fires have been caused by accidental contact in the pocket between the red phosphorus in the friction strip on safety-match boxes and potassium chlorate tablets. Addition of a little water to a mixture of white or red phosphorus and potassium iodate causes a violent or explosive reaction. Addition of a little of a solution of phosphorus in carbon disulfide to potassium chlorate causes an explosion when the solvent evaporates. The extreme danger of mixtures of red phosphorus (or sulfur) with chlorates was recognised in the UK some 50 years ago when unlicenced preparation of such mixtures was prohibited by Orders in Council. 

Potassium chlorate Red phosphorous Formation of explosive mixture sensitive to shock and friction... 

The effect of initiators (diluted sulfuric acid, chlorine dioxide, sulfur dioxide or disulfur dichloride) on ignition of mixtures of barium, lead or potassium chlorates with sulfur was examined [1] Presence of copper ion or metal (e.g. from a sieve) may also lead to explosion of such mixtures [2], A review of hazards of sulphur/chlorate mixtures in the firework industry has been published [3],... 

Intimate mixtures of chlorates, bromates or iodates of barium, cadmium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium or zinc, with finely divided aluminium, arsenic, copper carbon, phosphorus, sulfur hydrides of alkali- and alkaline earth-metals sulfides of antimony, arsenic, copper or tin metal cyanides, thiocyanates or impure manganese dioxide may react violently or explosively, either spontaneously (especially in presence of moisture) or on initiation by heat, friction, impact, sparks or addition of sulfuric acid [1], Mixtures of sodium or potassium chlorate with sulfur or phosphorus are rated as being exceptionally dangerous on frictional initiation. 

See DUST EXPLOSION INCIDENTS (reference 15) See Calcium oxide Water (reference 3) Potassium chlorate Fabric, 4017 Nitric acid Cellulose, 4436 Hydrogen peroxide Acetic acid, Jute, 4477 See also COTTON... 

Potassium chlorate is used as an oxidizer of chlorate explosives, primers, and matchheads. Mixtures of potassium chlorate and fuel components detonate relatively easily. 

The aqueous solution of barium sulfide oxidizes slowly in the air forming elemental sulfur and various anions of sulfur including sulfite, thiosulfate, polysulfides and sulfate. The yellow color of barium sulfide solution is attributed to the presence of dissolved elemental sulfur that results from its slow oxidation in the air. In the presence of an oxidizing agent, barium sulfate is formed. Violent to explosive oxidation may occur when heated with strong oxidants such as phosphorus pentoxide or potassium chlorate. 

Potassium chlorate is an oxidizing agent in matches, fireworks and explosives. The head of safety matches is coated with potassium chlorate which is struck on a surface consisting of red phosphorus, antimony(lII) sulfide and an adhesive to light the fire. It also is used in laboratory preparation of oxygen. Its dilute aqueous solution is an antiseptic. 

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