Tetranitromethane-Based Liquid Explosives

Tetranitromethane is of explosion whose oxygen balance is 49 % with explosion heat of 1,892 J/g. The pure tetranitromethane is of poor sensitivity that cannot be detonated by even 10 g special as booster. However, it is violently explosive when it is mixed with combustible material at almost zero oxygen balance, and it has a small critical diameter (thickness) and significant detonation and shock sensitivity. Such explosives are generally prepared when they are needed and the quantity addresses the requirement exactly regarding the safety considerations. Table 7.14 lists the detonation properties of tetranitromethane and certain combustible compounds at zero oxygen balance. 

The liquid explosive consisting of 86.5 tetranitromethane to 13.5 toluene has a density of 1.45 g/cm, explosion heat of 7,114 J/g, explosion temperature of 6,673 K, and explosion velocity of 9,000 m/s which is one of fast explosion velocity explosive so far [40]. 

The mixture of Tetranitromethane and poly butyl methacrylate can be used as a viscous liquid explosive. The poly butyl methacrylate can reduce the volatility of 

Combustible compound Combustible compound content (%) C(N02 4 content (%)  

Note The detonation velocity was measured in p20 glass tube using 8th detonators with 10 g TNT as booster 

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