Knowledge of Chemistry of Explosives - A Magic of Safety

Both Glucose and Explosives liberate energy but rateChemically the explosives belong to category of
of liberation is slower with glucose but instantaneousInternal Oxidation-Reduction [IOR] compounds with a
with explosives. Another differentiation is that thePyrotechnically Active Group of atoms within the
glucose contains C carbon, H hydrogen and O oxygenmolecular structure. Technically group of atoms are
atoms in molecule but the explosive necessarilynamed as Explosophore, the Azides, Bromates,
contains N nitrogen atoms.Chlorates, Chlorites, Iodates, Nitrate, Nitrites,
The C6H122O6 is a glucose molecule butPerchlorates and Picrates. Other examples of IOR are
CH2ONO2CHONO2CH2ONO2 is Nitroglycerine (NG)NG, Picric Acid, Ethylene Glycol Dinitrite, as these
which explodes to form a mixture of steam, nitrogencontain several Nitro Groups. Fundamentally Artillery
CO2, and O2 at 30000C. So a rate of ChemicalAmmunition contains- Primer (KCLO3, Potassium
Transformation from one form to another ChemicalChlorate), Igniter (Black Powder), Propellants
Structure is significant to define a role of a chemical.(Smokeless Powder), Bursting Charge, Booster and
The NG is also known as Dynamite, discovered byDetonator.
Alfred Nobel, Swedish engineer, in year 1867. TheThe Rifle Cartridge contains Primer plus Propellant.
fortune acquired by manufacture of NG led Nobel toThe explosives contain A, B and C classes, where
establish a world famous Nobel prize.few explosives are highly sensitive to shock and heat
When Ammonium Nitrate as an Oxidant is added toso these are forbidden for Shipping, etc. but Military
the NG, then it is called as Ammonia Dynamite but onAircraft carry all types of explosives.
addition of Sodium Nitrate, it is named as StraightFew explosives: TNT (Trinitrotoluene), was
Dynamite.discovered in Germany, in 1092, and was used during
Perhaps keeping a current situation in the mind, it isworld wars I and II. A Mixture of 80% Ammonium
essential to be in possession of fundamentalNitrate plus 20% TNT is Amatol. Cyclonite
knowledge of chemical explosives.(Cyclotrimethylene Trinitramine) is known as RDX,
It is in interest of the Safety, and Welfare of thethe Beeswax Desensitize it. Tetryl (2, 4, 6.
society. There are 2 categories of Explosives basedTrinitrophenylmethylnitramine) is used as booster of
on their Detonating nature. The first is lowArtillery Ammunition and Armed Forces. With Molten
Detonating and the second is high detonating withTNT and Graphite, it acts as Bursting charge denoted
low (rate of detonation, 900 ft/sec) and high (4 milesas Tetrytol.
second) rate of chemical transformation respectively.PETN (Pentaerthritol Tetranitrate) are used as
Detonating explosives are further divided into Primarydetonating fuse. Picric acid (Trinitrophenol) is
and Secondary explosives. Typical primary explosivesPoisonous and Corrosive. Lead Styphnate, is
are Lead Azide [Pb(N3)2] and Mercury Fulminateextremely sensitive even Sparks with Static
[Hg(CNO)2] but secondary needs a Booster to bringElectricity. Thus this piece of information could
them to detonating level. Secondary explosives aregenerate a little awareness about bombing etc by
Tetry, PETN and Cyclonite.disgruntled elements.