Nitroglycerine impact sensitivity values

In Table 1.2 impact sensitivity values of different azido compounds according to the BAM fall hammer procedure are listed and compared with the corresponding values of the well-known explosives trinitrotoluene (TNT) and nitroglycerine. For the BAM procedure it is necessary to have at least one positive event within a series of six trials (probability of at least 16.7%). In the case of the US drop hanuner tests (according to the Bruceton procedure) the required probabihty level is often 50% initiation within a series of at least 25 trials. 

Table 1.2 Impact sensitivity values of selected azide compounds compared with trinitrotoluene and nitroglycerine...

In Table 1.3 exemplary friction sensitivity values of azido compounds according to the BAM procedure are listed and compared with the corresponding values of TNT and nitroglycerine. A comparison with the sensitivity values listed in Table 1.3 points out that the sensitivity to friction and impact of a specific energetic compound might differ significantly. 

Pure nitrogiycerin is too sensitive to be transported by common carrier. A mixture of 70 parts of nitroglycerin and 30 parts of acetone by weight is relatively insensitive and sometimes is transported by wagon or truck. Such a mixture can be detonated by a No. 8 blasting cap. Modified Bureau of Mines impact tests of various mixtures gave the sensitivity values shown by table 8-3. 

The Bureau of Mines impact apparatus indicates TMETN is as sensitive as nitroglycerin, with a drop height of four centimeters for a two kilogram weight. The five second explosion temperature test value is 235°C and TMETN detonates with both the metal and fiber shoe in the pendulum friction test. 

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