Trinitrotoluene explosive power

T. Urbanski investigated its explosive power in a manometric bomb at a density of 0.05 and found it to be more powerful than trinitrotoluene (by about 46%) ... 

Investigations carried out at that time revealed the outstanding value of cyclonite as an explosive its high chemical stability, which is not much lower than that of aromatic nitro compounds, and its great explosive power, which considerably surpasses that of aromatic nitro compounds, such as trinitrotoluene and picric acid. 

The Griesheim method is generally used for the laboratory preparation of sym-trinitrobenzene. However, it is too expensive to be applied in industry. Trinitrobenzene prepared in this way is much more costly than trinitrotoluene, whereas the gain in explosive power obtained is relatively small. 

Of all nitro derivatives of toluene, trinitrotoluene is the most important as an explosive. It is by the most often used high explosive among those derived from aromatic compounds. It is popular because it is simple and relatively safe to manufacture, Mid has high explosive power, and above all because its high chemical stability and low sensitiveness to impact and friction make it safe to handle. In addition, its toxicity is low and thus it compares favourably in this respect with the nitro derivatives of benzene. 

The explosive properties of the compound TX differ considerably from those Of trinitrotoluene. Its explosive power is much lower than that of trinitrotoluene, which may be explained by the smaller number of the nitro groups present. Both T acid itself, and also its salts, are much more sensitive to mechanical and thermal stimuli than trinitrotoluene. 

TNT The abbreviation for trinitrotoluene. It is a much more stable compound than nitroglycerine but still capable of producing a powerful explosion when detonated. 

Secondary explosives (also known as high explosives) are different from primary explosives in that they cannot be detonated readily by heat or shock and are generally more powerful. Secondary explosives can be initiated to detonation only by a shock produced by the explosion of a primary explosive. Widely used secondary explosives include trinitrotoluene (TNT), tetryl, picric acid, nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, nitroguanidine, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), cyclotetramethylenetetranit-... 

The explosive properties of hexanitrodiphenyl-/ -hydroxynitraminoethyl nitrate are similar to those of pentryl. It is slightly more stable on heating its ignition temperature lies between 390 and 400°C. It is somewhat less sensitive to impact than pentryl and rather more powerful (by 3%) in the lead block test. It requires a stronger initiator than pentryl, tetryl or picric acid, but a weaker one than trinitrotoluene. 

The substance (I) is a moderately powerful explosive it gives an expansion of 250 cm3 in the lead block. It is less sensitive to impact than trinitrotoluene. Its ignition temperature (195-200°C) is about the same as that of tetryl. It forms inflammable salts. The lead, thallous and potassium salts bum violently with a sharp report. 

Of the hydrocarbons toluene is the only one which nitrates sufficiently easily and yields a product which has the proper physical and explosive properties. Trinitrotoluene is the most widely used of the pure aromatic nitro compounds. It melts at such temperature that it can be loaded by pouring. It is easily and surely detonated, and is insensitive to shock, though not insensitive enough to penetrate armor-plate without exploding until afterwards. It is powerful and brisant, but less so than trinitrobenzene which would offer certain advantages if it could be procured in sufficient quantity. 

A nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear chain reactions are initiated, controlled, and sustained at a steady rate. Nuclear reactors are used for many purposes, but the most significant current uses are for the generation of electrical power and for the production of plutonium for use in nuclear weapons. Currently, all commercial nuclear reactors are based on nuclear fission. The amount of energy released by one kg 235U is equal to the energy from the combustion of 3000 tons of coal or the energy from an explosion of 20,000 tons of TNT (Trinitrotoluene, called commonly dynamite). 

This explosive is remarkably stable to shock, and it requires a powerful detonator to initiate the explosion. In the explosives industry, precise control of temperature, mixing time, concentrations, heating and cooling rates, and so on is maintained. Making these materials safely requires sophisticated equipment and technology to carry out the process, even though the chemistry may appear simple. Under other conditions, some 2,3,5-trinitrotoluene, 3,5,6-trinitrotoluene, and 2,4,5-trinitrotoluene are produced and they are decidedly less stable than 2,4,6-TNT. A mixture of explosives is only as stable as its least stable component Without the sophisticated equipment and the knowledge that comes from specialized experience, no one should work with these materials. 

Coparisow further states that disposal may be made of the residue from the mother hquor—which residue consists of a complex mixture of various dinitrotoluenes and trinitrotoluenes— by nitrating this with a mixed acid containing only 15 per cent nitric acid. By this method, a liquid TNT is obtained, which has considerable power, and has the property of gelatinizing collodion cotton, the same as nitroglycerine does. This liquid product is used in the manufacture of gelatinized explosives. 

TNT (Trinitrotoluene) is produced from toluene,sulfuric acid, and nitric acid. It is a powerful high explosive with a velocity of detonation of about 21,000 feet per second. It is well suited for steel cutting, concrete breaching, and general demolition. 

Even though 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) has more shattering power (more hrisance) and is no more dangerous to handle, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has always been the high explosive in more general use. Can you suggest a reason (connected with manufacture) for the popularity of TNT (Benzene and toluene are both readily available materials for many years benzene was cheaper.)... 

Tetranitromethane (TNM) is common byproduct resulting from the nitration of many organic substances. TNM is a toxic material. TNM is also an oxidizer that can form a powerful explosive when mixed with combustible organic materials such as benzene, nitrobenzene, toluene, etc. For example, the presence of TNM has been held responsible for explosions in trinitrotoluene (TNT) manufacturing facilities. Guggenheim 1996... 

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