Sensitivity to Detonation

The sensitivity to detonation of an explosive is determined by the ease with which the explosive can be ignited by the primary detonation or another explosive in the vicinity which generates a shock wave. A maximum gap between the initiated detonator and the test explosive determines the sensitivity of the explosive to detonation. This gap test is an important characteristic which is usually 

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The power of Parazol, as detd by Cope (Ref 1), is about 86% of TNT (Bal Mort Test, consisting of detg the quantity of Parazol required to cause deflection equal to the deflection from lOg of TNT). It is less sensitive to detonation than TNT and, when confined, requires a very powerful detonator... 

Explosive D should not be exposed to moisture, since w reduces its strength and sensitivity to detonation. Moisture also increases its reactivity with metals such as Pb, K, Cu, Fe, etc, to form extremely sensitive compds. This reactivity requires that all projectiles loaded with this material must have contact areas covered with acid-proof paint... 

Increase in concentration of aluminium powder in a mixture with poly(methyl methacrylate) increases the sensitivity to detonation. 

Preparation of the acetylenic dichloride by conversion of the diol in pyridine with neat thionyl chloride is difficult to control, and hazardous on a large scale. Use of dichloromethane as diluent and operation at —30°C renders the preparation reproducible and safer [1], During distillation at up to 110°C/7-8 mbar, slight overheating of the residue to 120°C caused explosive decomposition [2], Sensitive to detonator, sometimes to mechanical shock [3],... 

Ramsay, J. B. et al., Proc. 6th Int. Symp. Detonation, 1976, 723-728 Liquid nitrogen oxide and other cryogenic oxidisers (ozone, fluorine in presence of water) are very sensitive to detonation in absence of fuel, and can be initiated as readily as glyceryl nitrate [1,2]. Detonation of the endothermic liquid oxide close to its b.p. (-152°C) generated a 100 kbar pulse and fragmented the test equipment. It is the simplest molecule that is capable of detonation in all 3 phases [3], The liquid oxide is sensitive and may explode dining distillation [4],... 

Division of Rohm and Haas Co., and the compound was found to be slightly more sensitive to detonation by impact than the commercial explosive RDX. This point should be kept constantly in mind. When the crystals are handled as a slurry or are wet with solvent, the hazard is considerably reduced. On the other hand, the dry perchlorate should be handled with great care and should never be crushed, rubbed, or pushed through a narrow opening. 

The ability of vanadium(II) chloride to facilitate sulfoxide deoxygenation has been discussed (Section IV,C), and it appears that vana-dium(III) sulfoxide complexes may be prepared by air oxidation of van-adium(II) salts in the presence of the sulfoxide. In this manner, [V(Me2S0)6][C104]3 was prepared from vanadium(II) perchlorate (119) and the kinetics of substitution with thiocyanate ion detailed. Care is necessary in handling the pure compound, as it is reported to be sensitive to detonation. A large number of oxovanadium(IV) species have... 

The effect of sulphuric acid, a likely impurity from the usual preparation, in increasing sensitivity to detonation and decomposition has been studied [6],... 

Air Gap Sensitiveness to Detonation (and Explosion). It is a term which has been applied to the maximum distance of the consistent propagation of detonation by influence from a primer charge across an air gap to a receptor charge. The air-gap test for sensitiveness has been used for many years as a control test for dynamites and other commercial expls. 

Marshall 2(1917) Falling Weight Test (Lenze) (p 423) Friction Sensitivity Test (423) Sensitiveness to Detonation (429) Sensitiveness to Heat (434) Ignition Temperature (434) Heat of Explosion (440) Trauzl Test (469) Strength by Ballistic Pendulum (473) Velocity of Detonation by Dautriche Method (479) Brisance Meter of Hess (495)... 

Detonation Velocity, Influence of Ageing of Gelatin Explosives an. Ageing of dynamites and its influence on their sensitivity to detonation by influence was described in Vol 1 of Encycl, pp A110 to A112, but its influence on deton velocity was not discussed. Ageing of propellants was described on p A112... 

Silver is a white, ductile metal occurring naturally in its pure form and in ores (USEPA 1980). Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals. Some silver compounds are extremely photosensitive and are stable in air and water, except for tarnishing readily when exposed to sulfur compounds (Heyl et al. 1973). Metallic silver is insoluble in water, but many silver salts, such as silver nitrate, are soluble in water to more than 1220 g/L (Table 7.3). In natural environments, silver occurs primarily in the form of the sulfide or is intimately associated with other metal sulfides, especially fhose of lead, copper, iron, and gold, which are all essentially insoluble (USEPA 1980 USPHS 1990). Silver readily forms compounds with antimony, arsenic, selenium, and tellurium (Smith and Carson 1977). Silver has two stable isotopes ( ° Ag and ° Ag) and 20 radioisotopes none of the radioisotopes of silver occurs naturally, and the radioisotope with the longest physical half-life (253 days) is "° Ag. Several compounds of silver are potential explosion hazards silver oxalate decomposes explosively when heated silver acetylide (Ag2C2) is sensitive to detonation on contact and silver azide (AgN3) detonates spontaneously under certain conditions (Smith and Carson 1977). 

The device described in USP 2541334(1951) of C.H- Carey D.R. Walton is intended primarily for expls contg a high proportion of AN and little or no NG. In expls of this kind, as the apparent density is increased (as by hard packing), there is reduction in sensitivity to detonation and decrease in sensitivity by influence. Introduction of an auxiliary expl (booster) compressed to a lesser degree than the main charge assures complete detonation. It also permits the use of insensitive expls (as main charges) which could not be detonated by the cap alone... 

French "spot-light cartridges" in 8mm Lebei rifle existed in 2 patterns. Their exp Is placed in the cavity of bullet nose, was sensitive to detonation on impact (Figs 5 6... 

Sensitivity to Detonation by Initiating Agents, See Sensitivity to Initiation... 

Nitromethane is commercially available with the following specifications (by weight) purity, 98.0% min. total nitroparaffms, 99.0% min. acidity (as acetic acid), 0.1% max. and water, 0.1% max. Nitromethane can be made less sensitive to detonation by shock by the addition of compounds such as alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters and ketones. These desensitizers, with the minimum content by weight that must be present in the mixtures, are cyclohexanone (25%), 1,4-dioxane (35%), 1,2-butylene oxide (40%), methanol (45%), 2-nitropropane (47%), 1-nitropropane (48%) or methyl chloroform (50%) (Angus Chemical Co., 1998). 

In addition to the effects on physical properties, an effect on ballistic properties may also be observed. If the polymer does not fill the entire space not occupied by the solids, when ignited the flame front may proceed by connected voids to yield an uncontrolled combustion condition. A porous condition can have an effect on the sensitivity to detonation as discussed in Chapter 10. The attractive forces between polymer and solids are probably the major contributing factor that causes differences in physical properties of propellant and causes one polymeric or polymer-plus-plasticizer system to be preferred over another. 

Tetryl and butyltetryl are alike in their physical and chemical properties. The latter is notable for its low sensitiveness to impact, very similar to that of trinitrotoluene. Since it is slightly more powerful than trinitrotoluene and at the same time highly sensitive to detonation by mercury fulminate, it was suggested (Davis [72]) for use in detonators, gains (boosters) and other initiating or priming charges. 

The use of sheaths very slightly weakens the strength of an explosive but does not reduce its sensitiveness to detonation. On the other hand it considerably increases its safety for use in mines with methane and sensitive coal-dust. 

To determine the sensitiveness to detonation of mining explosive in some countries (including Poland) special standard detonators have recently been introduced, containing 0.05, 0.1,0.t5, 0.20 g etc. of silver azide. The stronger contains 0.60 g of silver azide or an equivalent quantity of lead azide. 

W.E. Gordon, USP 3046888(1962). CA 57, 14046(1962) (Expls of preceding patent were shown sensitive to deton by detonating fuse, such as filled with PETN)... 

Commercial blasting explosives contain ammonium nitrate, wood meal, oil and TNT. A mixture of ammonium nitrate, water and oily fuels produces an emulsion slurry which is also used in commercial blasting explosives. Small glass or plastic spheres containing oxygen can be added to emulsion slurries to increase its sensitivity to detonation. 

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