Manufacture lead styphnate

The original initiating explosive used by Nobel and all manufacturers for many years was mercury fulminate. This had the disadvantage of decomposing slowly in hot climates, particularly under moist conditions. For this reason mercury fulminate is no longer widely used. In most countries it has been replaced by a mixture of dextrinated lead azide and lead styphnate. In the U.S.A. some detonators are made containing diazodinitrophenol. 

Fig. 49. Diagram of the design and operation of a reactor for the manufacture of lead azide and other primary explosives (tetrazene, lead styphnate and lead picrate).

Fig. 50. Column for continuous manufacture of heavy metal azides and lead styphnate, according to Meissner [110] /,2—inflow of reacting solutions, 3,4—reaction column, 5—air nozzle with exit openings, 6 and 7 directed up- and downwards, respectively,...

The continuous method for the manufacture of lead styphnate (according to Meissner [58, 59])... 

The continuous preparation of lead styphnate can be carried out in the same equipment as for the manufacture of lead azide (Fig. 50) after previous cleaning of the apparatus and exchanging the flowmeters. 

Mercury fulminate/potassium chlorate-based primer compositions are currently manufactured by some Eastern Bloc countries, although they also manufacture compositions based on lead styphnate. 

Styphnic acid is a yellow crystalline solid with a melting point of 176 Celsius. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, and acetic acid. Styphnic acid turns deep yellow on contact with air, so it should be stored in tightly sealed bottles in a cool place. The compound is corrosive and readily forms salts with metal hydroxides and carbonates—many of which are primary explosives, i.e., lead styphnate. Styphnic acid bums rapidly and violently when ignited. For safety reasons, styphnic acid should be stored wet with 10% water. It is used primarily in the manufacture of lead styphnate, but is used with outstanding results in explosives compositions when mixed with nitrocellulose, sodium nitrate, or ammonium perchlorate and... 

Summary The basic yellow lead styphnate is prepared by precipitating the salt from a styphnic acid/sodium hydroxide solution with lead nitrate at 100 Celsius. The resulting precipitated lead styphnate is then collected by filtration, washed, and dried. Commercial Industrial note Part or parts of this laboratory process may be protected by international, and/or commercial/industrial processes. Before using this process to legally manufacture the mentioned explosive, with intent to sell, consult any protected commercial or industrial processes related to, similar to, or additional to, the process discussed in this procedure. This process may be used to legally prepare the mentioned explosive for laboratory, educational, or research purposes. 

Explosive, primary Explosive substance manufactured with a view to producing a practical effect by explosion which is very sensitive to heat, impact or friction and which, even in very small quantities, either detonates or bums very rapidly. It is able to transmit detonation (in the case of initiating explosive) or deflagration to secondary explosives close to it. The main primary explosives are mercury fulminate, lead azide and lead styphnate. UN App. B, ICAO A2, lATA App. A... 

Lead picrate forms several basic salts with varying lead content. They form citric yellow crystals practically insoluble in water or alcohol. Its explosive properties are similar to those of lead styphnate but its flammability is lower [10]. Sensitivity to electrostatic discharge is high (at the level of LS) and is the reason for the many accidents which occurred during its manufacture [12]. Sensitivity to impact is 2.5 J (it explodes by 5 kg hammer from 5 cm) [13]. 

Hill, S.G. Comercial detonators Manufacture of lead styphnate and lead azide. Can. Chem. Process Ind. 26(18), 43 (1942)... 

Explosives manufacture lead azide Pb(N3)2, lead styphnate (i.e. Benzene, 2,4- dihydroxy-1,3,5-trinitro-lead) soils... 

Close-up of Federal 209A primers. Non-toxic shooting begins at the point of ignition when manufacturers substitute for highly toxic heavy metal compounds such as lead styphnate. 

---