Lead block expansion test nitrate

The high, values for the lead block expansion test given by mixtures of tetranitro-methane with higher nitrated aromatic compounds are striking. On the other hand, the rates of detonation of these mixture are lower than those of mixtures containing lower nitrated compounds or benzene. 

Urea nitrate is insensitive to friction and to impact. The density of the substance subjected to a pressure of 1500 kg/cm3 is 1.59 g/cm3. In the lead block test it caused an expansion of 260 (Kast) or 270 cm3 (T. Urbanski, Kapuscinski, Wojcie-chowski [59]). It detonates somewhat better than ammonium nitrate and guanidine nitrate, but a No. 8 detonator did not provoke complete detonation. Medard [59a] reported that urea nitrate gives a relative figure of the lead block expansion 79.6 (picric acid = 100) and the rate of detonation of 30 mm dia. charges is ... 

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