Term Storage of Lead Azide

Lead azide may be stored either as bulk raw material or as pressed pellets in detonators or other explosive-train components. In most European countries the bulk transportation of lead azide is restricted. In such situations it is most common for lead azide to be manufactured and pressed into detonators at the same 

The long-tenn storage of lead azide in detonators, particularly military items. 

In general, problems arise from the presence of moisture, and in the United Kingdom, for example, some products are stored dry. Atmospheric moisture may, nevertheless, also cause deterioration, and the spontaneous detonation of detonators in stores has been attributed to hydrolysis reactions of this sort as discussed later in this chapter. Most commonly, however, bulk lead azide is stored under a desensitizing liquid, usually water or water-alcohol mixtures, and thus the potential for deterioration is always present. 

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