Sensitivity of bursting charges

Some captured Russian ammo, examined at PicArsn, revealed a two-layer, separate loaded type of bursting charge, novel from the Amer point of view. For example, the 76.2-mm Armor-Piercing HE Shell contained a less sensitive Nose Charge of Baronal (barium nitrate 39%, TNT 15% A146%) and a more sensitive Base Charge of PTX-1 (RDX 72%, TNT 16% Tetryl 12%). The effectiveness of these combined charges is not reported... 

Ditto in 1/8 Al—50% expls and 50% unaffected Sand Test-See Brisance by Sand Test Sensitivity to Impact—See Impact Sensitivity Sensitivity to Initiation—See Initiation, Sensitivity to Stability Test—See Vacuum Stability Test Vacuum Stability Test at 120°—0.37cc of gas evolved in 40 hrs from 1 g sample Velocity of Detonation—See Detonation Rate Viscosity, Efflux-24.8 Saybolt Seconds Method of manuf of HTA—3 is similar to that used for Torpex, namely purified TNT is melted by heating it to ca 100° in a steam-jacketed kettle, equipped with a stirrer. Water wet HMX is added slowly to molten TNT, while continuing to stir it and to heat, until all the water is evapd. Aluminum powder is added and the mixture continued to be stirred until uniform and then cooled, with stirring, to obtain a slurry suitable for pouring into shells or bombs to serve as their bursting charges Refs 1) G. Silvestro H. Will III, PA Instrumentation Rept 1232—58 (1958) (Suitability of HTA-3 as HE) 2) Anon, AMCP 706-177 (1967), pp 178-81 362 (Torpex) (1971), pp 178-81... 

In the book of Belgrano (Ref 31, pp 355—60) are described chlorate and perchlorate Cheddites Accdg to Ref 28, p 321, Cheddites are too sensitive to mechanical action to be used as bursting charges in shells, but they can be used for loading land mines (See also Cremonite, Esplosivo 86/14, Esplosivo P, Esplosivo S, Manlianite, Polvere cannel and Romite)... 

Oshiyaku. A yel, press-loaded expl compn consisting of PA 90 wax 10%. It was much less sensitive to Impact Friction than straight PA and had lower Brisance, Power and Rate of Detonation. It was used as Bursting Charge in nose of some Armor-Piercing Projs, such as Type 95 7-cm (70-mm) AP Proj listed in Ref 3, p 309 (See also Ref 1, p 26 Ref 5, p 368)... 

Triplastita (Triplastite). A gelatinized mixt of Dinitrotoluene and Guncotton (Algodon pol-vora). It is less sensitive than TNT and has the advantage of a higher d when compressed. Used as a bursting charge in some ammo (Ref 9, p 31)... 

PETN [pentaerythritol tetranitrate, C(CH20N02)4] is an extremely sensitive high explosive. When used as a booster explosive, a bursting charge, or a plastic demolition charge, it is desensitized by mixture with trinitrotoluene or by the addition of wax. 

Uses As bursting charge for shells, bombs, torpedo war heads, aud mines. As component of blasting explosives. Some of the more sensitive H. E. are used as boosters in detonating compositions. 

Chemically much more inert than chlorine, phosgene is a very stable compound and is not dissociated by cxplo. bursting charges. When dry, phosgene does not attack iron ami may, therefore, be kept indefinitely in iron and steel containers. It is, however, extremely sensitive to water, in contact with which it quickly breaks down into hydroehlorii acid and carbon dioxide, according to the equation... 

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