762 lines
29 KiB
Plaintext
762 lines
29 KiB
Plaintext
So, you want to learn about some explosives, eh sonny? Well,
|
|
you have come to the right place. Starting with this file, a
|
|
series begins that will try to bring that world of demolitions
|
|
and fun ( ha ha ) a little closer to you. This serier,
|
|
ingeniously dubbed the "Explosive Files" will go through the
|
|
many types of explosives around. In addition, a few sidetracks
|
|
will be made on the way in the areas of fireworks or whatever
|
|
seems appropriate. As you delve through what is contained in the
|
|
files, you may find some helpful information, you may not. But
|
|
have fun reading them anyway.
|
|
|
|
**********************************************
|
|
* *
|
|
* DISCLAIMER *
|
|
* :::::::::::::: *
|
|
* *
|
|
* The author and the management takes no *
|
|
* responsibility whatever for any of the *
|
|
* information presented from hereon in any *
|
|
* of the Explosive Files. There are no *
|
|
* warranties what-so-ever, express or *
|
|
* implied. *
|
|
* *
|
|
**********************************************
|
|
|
|
If you haven't figured this one out yet, this file is
|
|
formatted for 80 columns. And the rest of the files are the same
|
|
way. So, using a quote I saw once on a file on a board,
|
|
" Use your damn printers people !!! "
|
|
|
|
And now on with the show.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPLOSIVES
|
|
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
|
|
To start learning about explosives, you have got to start at
|
|
the begining. I plan to be as thorough as possible, but I may
|
|
forget things every now and then. The files should still be
|
|
complete though. So now to start at the begining......
|
|
|
|
An explosive is a substance that, under the influence of heat,
|
|
shock, or some other agency, undergoes a chemical reaction that
|
|
causes it to decompose or break up quickly with more or less
|
|
violence ( whew ). Explosives fly to pieces because the materials
|
|
composing them react in such a way that solids or liquids are
|
|
suddenly converted into gases, which tend to expand and rapidly
|
|
fill a larger volume of space. Heat is also developed and acts as
|
|
a catalyst ( something that changes the speed of the reaction in
|
|
some way. In this case it speeds it up. ). The noise associated
|
|
with an explosion is caused by air waves. An explosion is an
|
|
intensified combustion also.
|
|
The history of explosives is too long for one file, but
|
|
certain events are covered in individual files. For instance,
|
|
gunpowder's history is in the gunpowder file.
|
|
Lets narrow the scope a little here and get a little
|
|
introduction into explosives. How they are classified is a good
|
|
thing to know, so here it is.
|
|
|
|
There are basically 3 differnt types of explosives existing.
|
|
All explosives fall into one of these categories somewhere. What
|
|
follows is a listing of each of these categories with a brief
|
|
description and some examples.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Propellants
|
|
|
|
Propellants, or low explosives, are combustible materials,
|
|
containing within themselves all oxygen needed for their
|
|
combustion. They burn themselves out but do not explode, and
|
|
function by producing gas which explodes.
|
|
|
|
Examples are Black powder and smokeless powder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
II. Primary Explosives
|
|
|
|
Primary Explosives, or initiators as they are sometimes
|
|
called , explode or detonate when they are heated or subjected
|
|
to shock. They do not burn and sometimes they do not even
|
|
contain the elements necessary for combustion. The materials
|
|
themselves explode, and the explosion results whether they are
|
|
confined or not. Their brisance, or the shock which they produce
|
|
when they explode, differs considerably in different explosives,
|
|
as does their sensitivity to heat and the amount of heat they
|
|
give off.
|
|
|
|
Examples : Mercury Fulminate, Lead Azide, Fulminating Gold,
|
|
the mixture of Red Phosphorus with Potassium Chlorate, Copper
|
|
Acetylide, Nitrogen Sulfide, and Tetracene.
|
|
|
|
|
|
III. High Explosives
|
|
|
|
High Explosives detonate under the influence of the shock
|
|
of the explosion of a suitable primary explosive. They do not
|
|
function by burning. Most of them can be ignited by a flame
|
|
though and in a small amount generally burn tranquilly and can
|
|
be extinguished easily. If heated to a high temperature by
|
|
external heat or by their own combustion, they will sometimes
|
|
explode. They are generally more brisant and powerful than
|
|
primary explosives. They exert a mechanical effect on whatever
|
|
is near them when they explode, whether they are confined or
|
|
not.
|
|
|
|
Examples : Dynamite, Trinitrotoluene, Tetryl, Picric Acid,
|
|
Nitrocellulose, Nitroglycerin, Liqiud Oxygen mixed with wood
|
|
pulp, fuming Nitric Acid mixed with Nitrobenzene, Ammonium
|
|
Nitrate , Ammonium Perchlorate, and Nitroguanidine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
So Now you have taken the first step toward your explosive
|
|
education. The next file will be on igniters and will be
|
|
important for detonating stuff. See ya then.
|
|
|
|
! !
|
|
- * Flash Point * -
|
|
! !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
!
|
|
/
|
|
\! /
|
|
-------------------------------------------------\- / /
|
|
I G N I T E R S --- + * + ---
|
|
-------------------------------------------------/- \ \
|
|
The Explosives Files II /! \
|
|
/ ! \
|
|
by Flash Point !
|
|
|
|
(c) 1983, 1984 The Agency; Prism Industries
|
|
|
|
Call The Agency (818) 794 - 8916
|
|
10 meg soon (I hope).
|
|
|
|
These files may not be changed at all when posted on other systems.
|
|
Please do not delete any of the credits.
|
|
These files may be posted on other systems with the permission of The Agency.
|
|
|
|
A small but major part of any explosive is how to ignite it.
|
|
Some materials, like gunpowder, will ignite quickly when in
|
|
contact with flame. But some explosives will not light by just
|
|
a flame and hence they require some thing with some more power,
|
|
maybe even another explosive. What follows is a list of your
|
|
basic igniters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLACK MATCH
|
|
|
|
Black match is made with fine, soft cotton twine and
|
|
meal powder. It is easily made by twisting 3 or 4 strands of the
|
|
twine together and covering the resulting cord with a paste made
|
|
by mixing the meal powder with water. The excess paste should be
|
|
wiped off and the cord should be allowed to dry while stretched
|
|
across a frame. A slower match can be made by twisting the twine
|
|
and using a homemade black powder as the paste. This powder is
|
|
made by mixing 6 parts Potassium nitrate, 1 part sulfur, and 1
|
|
part soft wood charcoal. This match and slight derivations are
|
|
used on nearly ever firework available. Its cheap, reliable if
|
|
made right, and easy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
QUICK MATCH
|
|
|
|
Quick match is black match inserted into a paper tube
|
|
which does not need to fit tightly. When light, the black match
|
|
burns through the tube at a extremely quick rate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MINERS FUSE
|
|
|
|
Miners Fuse is also called Safety Fuse or Bickford Fuse. It
|
|
consists of a central thread surrounded by a core of black powder
|
|
enclosed within a tube of woven threads, which is then surrounded
|
|
by waterproof materials, etc. It commonly burns at the rate of 1
|
|
foot a minute. When the fire reaches the end, a jet of flame
|
|
about 1 inch long shoots out for the purpose of igniting black
|
|
powder or lighting a blasting cap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DETONATING FUSE
|
|
|
|
Detonating Fuse, or Cordeau, is a narrow tube filled with
|
|
high explosive. When the explosion is initiated at one end by a
|
|
detonator, the explosion travels along the tube with a high
|
|
velocity which causes other high explosives in its path to
|
|
explode. In America, cordeau is made from lead tubes filled with
|
|
TNT, from aluminum or tin tubes filled with Picric Acid, and from
|
|
tubes of woven fabric filled with Nitrocellulose or PETN ( yes,
|
|
thats Pentaerythrite Tetranitrate ).
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLASTING CAPS
|
|
|
|
Instead of making a whole seperate file out of blasting
|
|
caps, my first intention, I will just put the stuff here.
|
|
|
|
Blasting caps were invented in 1867 by Alfred Nobel, who
|
|
also first made Nitroglycerin, invented dynamite and blasting
|
|
gelatin, and provided funding to start the Nobel prizes. What a
|
|
cool dude. There exist 3 different kinds of blasting caps,
|
|
varying from a simple fuse wrapped by explosive to a complicated
|
|
waterproff cap involving an electrical detonation. . There is
|
|
also 8 grades, or strengths of caps, denoted by numbers ( No. 1,
|
|
No. 6, etc. ). Usually the strength is marked on the cap.
|
|
|
|
SIDENOTE : Electrically ignited caps are the most common
|
|
type available. If you live anywhere near a quarry, try to get a
|
|
tour of the place. Watch wherever you walk. blasting caps abound
|
|
in areas like this. When nobodys looking, pocket a few.
|
|
|
|
What follows is a generally useless chart, but here it is
|
|
anyway. It shows a little about the strengths of each cap type
|
|
( see another file about mercury fulminate ).
|
|
|
|
Weight of Mercury External
|
|
Fulminate Dimensions
|
|
::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
grams diameter,mm length,mm
|
|
::::: ::::::::::: :::::::::
|
|
|
|
No. 1 .30 5.5 16
|
|
No. 2 .40 5.5 22
|
|
No. 3 .54 5.5 26
|
|
No. 4 .65 6 28
|
|
No. 5 .80 6 30-32
|
|
No. 6 1.00 6 35
|
|
No. 7 1.50 6 40-45
|
|
No. 8 2.00 6-7 50-55
|
|
|
|
Make sure you check out the next 3 files which are probably
|
|
the best ones out of the whole group.
|
|
|
|
!>Flash Point<!
|
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
PRIMARY HIGH EXPLOSIVE
|
|
|
|
* Flash Point *
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) 1983, 1984 The Agency; Prism Industries.
|
|
|
|
Call The Agency (818) 794 - 8916
|
|
10 meg soon?
|
|
|
|
These files may not be changed at all if they are to be posted on another
|
|
system. Please do not delete any of the credits. These files may be posted
|
|
on other systems with the permission of THE AGENCY.
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Here we are with a list of primary high explosives. It's not
|
|
much, but there are not many of them. There are many more
|
|
secondary high and low explosives ( see the next two files ).
|
|
|
|
Mercury Fulminate
|
|
:::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Mercury Fulminate is an initiating explosive, commonly
|
|
appearing as white or gray crystals. It is extremely sensetive to
|
|
initiation by heat, friction, spark or flame, and impact. It will
|
|
detonate when initiated by any of the ways. When stored
|
|
continiously at temperatures above 100 degrees F it gradually
|
|
becomes inert. A dark-colored product of deterioration gives
|
|
evidence of this condition. Mercury Fulminate is commonly stored
|
|
underwater except in places where freezing is possible. Then it
|
|
is stored under a mixture of water and alcohol.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lead Styphnate
|
|
:::: :::::::::
|
|
|
|
Lead Styphnate is an initiating explosive, usually appearing
|
|
in orange or white crystals. It is easily ignited by heat and
|
|
static discharge, but cannot be used to start secondary high
|
|
explosive reliably. Lead Styphnate is an ingredient in priming
|
|
mixtures for small arms ammunition. Lead Styphnate is stored
|
|
underwater except where freezing is possible. Then it stored
|
|
under water and alcohol.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lead Azide
|
|
:::: :::::
|
|
|
|
Lead Azide is an initiating explosive produced as a white to
|
|
buff crystalline substance. It is more reliable than Mercury
|
|
Fulminate and it does not decompose during long storage at
|
|
moderately elevated temperatures ( 90 and above ). It should not
|
|
be loaded into copper or brass containers because Copper Azide,
|
|
an extremely sensitive explosive, can be formed in the presence
|
|
of moisture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DDNP
|
|
Diazodinitrophenol
|
|
::::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
DDNP is a primary high explosive. It is used extensively in
|
|
commercial blasting caps that are initiated by black powder
|
|
safety fuse. It is superior to Mercury Fulminate in stability
|
|
but is not as stable as Lead Azide. DDNP is desenzitized by
|
|
immersion in water.
|
|
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
SECONDARY HIGH EXPLOSIVES
|
|
|
|
File #4 - Flash Point
|
|
|
|
(c) 1983, 1984 The Agency; Prism Industries
|
|
|
|
Call The Agency (818) 794 - 8916
|
|
10 meg soon?!?
|
|
|
|
These files may not be edited if they are to be posted on other systems.
|
|
Please do not delete any of the credits.
|
|
These files may be posted on other systems with the permission of THE AGENCY.
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
This section is a rather complete listing of secondary high
|
|
explosives. They are listed in no particular order and thay all
|
|
have a bit of information about them again, just like the
|
|
primary high explosives. I think that this is probably the best
|
|
file in the whole group so have fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TNT
|
|
TRINITROLOLUENE
|
|
:::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
TNT is produced from Toluene, Sulfuric acid, and Nitric
|
|
acid. It is powerful high explosive. It is well suited for steel
|
|
cutting, concrete breaching, general demonlition, and underwater
|
|
demolition. It is a stable explosive and relatively insensitive
|
|
to shock. It may be detonated by a blasting cap or primacord.
|
|
TNT is toxic and its dust should not be inhaled or allowed
|
|
contact with the skin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NITROSTARCH
|
|
:::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Nitrostarch is composed of Starch Nitrate, Barium Nitrate,
|
|
and Sodium Nitrate. It is more sensitive to flame, friction, and
|
|
shock than TNT but not as powerful. It is initiated by
|
|
detonating cord.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TETRYL
|
|
::::::
|
|
|
|
Tetryl is a fine, yellow crystalline material and exhibits
|
|
a very high shattering power. It is commonly used as a booster
|
|
in explosive trains. It is stable in storage. It is used in
|
|
detonators.
|
|
|
|
|
|
RDX
|
|
CYCLONITE
|
|
:::::::::
|
|
|
|
RDX is a white crystalline solid that exhibits very high
|
|
shattering power. It is commonly used as a booster in explosive
|
|
trains or as a main bursting charge. It is stable in storage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NITROGLYCERIN
|
|
:::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Nitroglycerin is manfactured by treating Glycerin with a
|
|
nitrating mixture of Nitric Acid and Sulfuric acid. It is thick,
|
|
clear to yellow-brownish, and extremely powerful and shock
|
|
sensetive. Nitroglycerin freezes at 56 degrees farenheit in
|
|
which state it is less sensitive to shock than in liquid form.
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMERCIAL DYNAMITE
|
|
:::::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Commercial dynamite comes in three principal types.
|
|
Straight dynamite, Ammonia dynamite, and Gelatin dynamite. Each
|
|
type is further divided into a series of grades. All dynamites
|
|
contain Nitroglycerin in varying amounts and the strength of the
|
|
explosion is related to the Nitroglycerin content. Dynamite
|
|
ranges in detonation velocity from 4000 to 23,000 feet per
|
|
second and is sensitive to shock. Dynamite is initiated by
|
|
electric or nonelectric blasting caps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PETN
|
|
PENTAERYTHRITE TETRANITRATE
|
|
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
PETN is one of the most powerful of military explosives and
|
|
is almost equal in force to nitroglycrerine and RDX. When used
|
|
in detonating cord, it has a detonation velocity of 21,000
|
|
f.p.s. and is relatively insensitive to friction and shock from
|
|
handling and transportation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MILITARY DYNAMITE
|
|
:::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Military ( construction ) dynamite, unlike other commercial
|
|
dynamite, does not absorb or retain moisture, contains no
|
|
nitroglycerine, and is much safer to store, handle, and
|
|
transport. It detonates at a velocity of about 20,000 feet per
|
|
second and is good for military construction, quarrying, or
|
|
demolition. It may be detonated with an electric or nonelectric
|
|
military blasting cap or detonating cord.
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMATOL
|
|
::::::
|
|
|
|
Amatol is a high explosive, white to buff in color. It is a
|
|
mixture of Ammonium nitrate and TNT, with a relative
|
|
effectiveness slightly higher than TNT alone. Amatol is used a
|
|
main bursting charge in artillery shells and bombs. Amatol
|
|
absorbs moisture and can form dangerous compounds with copper
|
|
and brass.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLASTING GELATIN
|
|
::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Blasting gelatin is a translucent material of an elastic,
|
|
jellylike texture and is made in a number of different colors.
|
|
It is considered to be the most powerful industrial explosive.
|
|
It is more water resistant than Gelatin dynamite.
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPOSITION C4
|
|
::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Composition C4 is a white plastic explosive more powerful
|
|
than TNT. It consists of 91% RDX and 9% plastic binder. It
|
|
remains plastic over a wide range of temperatures (-70 F. to 170
|
|
F. ), and is as sensitive as TNT. It is eroded less than other
|
|
plastic explosives when immersed is water for long periods. It
|
|
is well suited for cutting steel and timber and breaching
|
|
concrete.
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPOSITION B
|
|
:::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Composition B is a high explosive mixture with a relative
|
|
efffectiveness higher than that of of TNT. It is also more
|
|
sensetive that TNT. It is composed of 59% RDX, 40% TNT, and 1%
|
|
wax. Because of its shattering power and high rate of
|
|
detonation, Composition B is used as the main charge in certain
|
|
bangalore torpedoes and shaped charges.
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMMONIUM NITRATE
|
|
::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Ammonium Nitrate is a white crystalline substance that is
|
|
extremely water absorbent and is therefor usually packed in a
|
|
sealed metal container. It has a low velocity of detonation (
|
|
3600 f.p.s ) and is used primarily as an additive to other
|
|
explosives. It is only 55% as powerful as TNT.
|
|
|
|
|
|
HMX
|
|
:::
|
|
|
|
HMX is a solid high explosive commonly used as a booster
|
|
and sometimes as a main charge where its shattering effect is
|
|
needed. It is a white substance with a rather high melting
|
|
point; hence it is usually pressed into its container. It may be
|
|
initiated by Lead azide or Mercury fulminate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PENTOLITE
|
|
:::::::::
|
|
|
|
Pentolite is a high explosive made from equal mixtures of
|
|
PETN and TNT. It is light yellow and is used as the main
|
|
bursting charge in grenades, small shells, and shaped charges.
|
|
Pentolite should not be drilled to produce cavities; forming
|
|
tools should be used.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PICRIC ACID
|
|
:::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Picric Acid is a yellow crystalline, high explosive
|
|
bursting charge. it is initiated by Lead azide or Mercury
|
|
fulminate and has the same effectiveness as TNT. When in contact
|
|
with lead, Picric acid produces Lead Picrate, a sensitive and
|
|
violent explosive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GUN COTTON
|
|
::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Gun cotton is a nitrocellulose explosive made from cotton
|
|
fibers containing 13% or more of nitrogen. Although primarily
|
|
considered a propellant, it is sometimes used as a base charge
|
|
in electric detonators.
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMMONAL
|
|
:::::::
|
|
|
|
Ammonal is a high explosive mixture composed of 22%
|
|
Ammonium nitrate, 67% TNT, and 11% flaked or powdered aluminum.
|
|
It is sometimes used as a filler for artillery shell. The
|
|
composition is 83% as effective as TNT and explodes with a
|
|
bright flash upon detonation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
IMPROVISED PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE FILLER
|
|
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Plastic explosive filler can be made from Potassium
|
|
Chlorate and petroleum jelly. The Potassium chlorate crystals
|
|
are ground into a very fine powder and then mixed with the
|
|
petroleum jelly. This explosive can be detonated with a No. 8
|
|
commercial blasting cap or with any military blasting cap. The
|
|
explosive must be stored in a waterproof container until ready
|
|
to use.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TETRYTOL
|
|
::::::::
|
|
|
|
Tetrytol is a high explosive bursting charge containing 75%
|
|
Tetryl and 25% TNT. It is used as a demolitions explosive, a
|
|
bursting charge for mines, and in artillery shells. It is about
|
|
as strong as TNT.
|
|
|
|
!>Flash Point<!
|
|
|
|
|
|
. . . . . . . .
|
|
. .
|
|
. . . . . . . .
|
|
. GUNPOWDER . .
|
|
. . . . . . . .
|
|
. . . . .
|
|
. . . . . .
|
|
. . . . . . . .
|
|
|
|
Explosives file #5 by Flashpoint.
|
|
|
|
(c) 1983; 1984 The Agency; Prism Industries
|
|
|
|
Call The Agency (818) 794 - 8916
|
|
10 meg soon?!?
|
|
|
|
These files may not be changed if they are to be posted on other systems.
|
|
Please do not delete any of the credits. These files may be posted on other
|
|
systems with the permission of THE AGENCY.
|
|
---------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Probably the most common explosive you will ever encounter
|
|
in your travels is gunpowder. It is nearly everwhere. Most every
|
|
firework will use gunpowder. It is the easiest to make, and the
|
|
cheapest of all the explosive. How about a little bit of history
|
|
here...
|
|
|
|
Gunpowder is the oldest of all the known explosives. It's
|
|
invention is credited to the Chinese, the Arabs, and the Hindus,
|
|
but the first one to publish anything definite on it was friar
|
|
Roger Bacon of Oxford in 1242. He wrote a book telling how to
|
|
make an explosive mixture containing saltpeter. For this reason
|
|
Roger Bacon is sometimes considered the inventor of gunpowder.
|
|
Berthold Schwartz, a monk, also played his part in
|
|
gunpowders history by helping to develop firearms using
|
|
gunpowders properties. By 1326 cannons were being used.
|
|
Certainly gunpowder helped change the course of the world.
|
|
It has been used in things such as warfare to mechanical
|
|
assistance.
|
|
By the way, Saltpeter is Potassium Nitrate ( KNO3 ). Also,
|
|
doesn't it seem a bit funny that most of the people involved in
|
|
the history of explosives were religious people?
|
|
The modern gunpowder is commonly called Black Powder, but
|
|
is made in about the same way as its ancestors. Saltpeter,
|
|
charcoal, and sulphur are mechanically mixed into a fix powder.
|
|
The rate of ingition depends on the grain size ; the smaller the
|
|
grains, the faster it burns. The exact proportions of each
|
|
material can vary, and each mixture is a little different. But
|
|
the most effective powder has been found to be in the ratio of 6
|
|
parts Saltpeter, 1 part charcoal, and 1 part sulphur. Here are a
|
|
few other mixtures though for your enjoyment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DATE SALTPETER CHARCOAL SULFUR
|
|
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
|
|
|
|
8th century 66 22 12
|
|
8th century 70 23 7
|
|
Roger Bacon 37 32 31
|
|
1560 50 33 17
|
|
1781 75 15 10
|
|
1635 75 12.5 12.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brown powder, also called cocoa powder, was discovered and
|
|
it was found that it could be used as a replacement for normal
|
|
black charcoal. Brown powder is slower burning than its brother
|
|
and was used extensively in guns before smokeless powder was
|
|
developed. Cocoa powder is more sensitive to friction than
|
|
ordinary black powder. Samples have ingited when shaking in
|
|
canvas bags. As before, here are some exciting different
|
|
formulas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saltpeter Brown Charcoal Sulphur
|
|
<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>
|
|
|
|
79 18 3
|
|
78 19 3
|
|
80 20 0
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are a few more variations of gunpowder existing too,
|
|
so check out the next file for a listing.
|
|
|
|
A common myth about gunpowder is that it explodes. This is
|
|
wrong ( I know a few people out there are saying I'm full of
|
|
shit, right ? Well, it's the truth ). To really understand waht
|
|
happens it is necessary to know a little about chemistry. I'll
|
|
try to explain it to the average person now.
|
|
The formula for saltpeter is KNO3 ( Potassium nitrate ). If
|
|
you don't know yet, the O stands for an oxygen atom, and there
|
|
are 3 of them. The 3 is supposed to be sub-scripted by the way,
|
|
so just imagine that it is. This means that in the gunpowder
|
|
mixture, there is a whole bunch of oxygen atoms. Well, pure
|
|
oxygen burns. But how does it break out of the KNO3 ? The oxygen
|
|
is attracted to the sulphur and charcoal, but is bonded to the
|
|
nitrogen ( N ) and can't get away normally. When it is lit, the
|
|
ignition breaks the N-O bonds and in an instantaneous moment
|
|
solid and gaseous products are formed. What ends up happening is
|
|
that the gases cause the explosion. Its is really more
|
|
complicated than that, but I would take a good 50 sectors going
|
|
into detail. For a better understanding of this, pick up an
|
|
encyclopedia or ask your chemistry teacher.
|
|
!>Flash Point<!
|
|
---------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Other Powders
|
|
|
|
Explosives file #6 by Flashpoint
|
|
|
|
(c) 1983; 1984 The Agency; Prism Industries.
|
|
|
|
Call The Agency (818) 794 - 8916
|
|
10 meg soon?!?
|
|
|
|
These files may not be changed if they are to be posted on other systems.
|
|
Please do not delete any of the credits. These files may be posted on other
|
|
systems with permission from THE AGENCY.
|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
They couldn't let black powder get all lonesome by being the
|
|
only worthwile powder useful in explosives, so somebody invented
|
|
a few more. Some of these are better than black powder, some
|
|
worse, some more expensive, some more convenient. But they are
|
|
all powders.
|
|
|
|
BLASTING POWDER
|
|
|
|
Since normal black powder burns rather quickly when mixed
|
|
well, a slower and cheaper powder is needed for blasting. A
|
|
powder of this type can be obtained by reducing the amount of
|
|
Potassium Nitrate. The French government has manufactured and
|
|
sold the following kinds of blasting powder.
|
|
|
|
SALTPETER CHARCOAL SULFUR
|
|
::::::::: :::::::: ::::::
|
|
|
|
72 15 13
|
|
40 30 30
|
|
62 18 20
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the United States, most blasting powder is made from
|
|
Sodium nitrate. Some samples taken show the following ratios.
|
|
|
|
SODIUM NITRATE CHARCOAL SULFUR
|
|
:::::::::::::: :::::::: ::::::
|
|
|
|
68 10 22
|
|
73 11 16
|
|
|
|
Pellet powders, made from Sodium Nitrate, are becoming
|
|
popular. They are cylindrical pellets, 2 inches long, wrapped in
|
|
paraffined paper cartridges, and are from 1 and 1/4 to 2 inches
|
|
in diameter. The pellets resemble cartridges of dynamite. From 2
|
|
to 4 pellets whice are perforated in the direction of their axis
|
|
are wrapped in the cartridges and a 3/8 hole is bored for
|
|
insertion of fuse for firing. The pellets are also sold in most
|
|
hardware stores for use in welding torches under names like Solid
|
|
OX pellets and generally cost about $ 8.00 for a can of 7 or 8
|
|
sticks. You can buy these pellets and grind them up for a good
|
|
source of Sodium Nitrate powder. It makes a hell of a black
|
|
powder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
II. AMMONPULVER
|
|
|
|
Propellant powder made from Ammonium nitrate is about as
|
|
powerful as smokeless powder and has long had a limited use for
|
|
military uses, especially in Germany and Austria.
|
|
In 1855, a powder was patented called Amidpulver. Later the
|
|
formula was improved, giving the powder a flashless discharge
|
|
whan fired in a gun and only a moderate amount of smoke.
|
|
Ammonpulver which contains no Potassium nitrate explodes with no
|
|
flash and little smoke.
|
|
|
|
AMMONIUM POTASSIUM
|
|
NITRATE NITRATE CHARCOAL
|
|
:::::::::: ::::::::::: ::::::::::
|
|
|
|
Amidpulver 38 44 16
|
|
improved Amidpulver 37 14 49
|
|
other formula 85 - 15
|
|
|
|
Ammonpulver has the advantages of being cheap, powerful,
|
|
flashless, and almost smokeless. It is insensitive to shock and
|
|
friction, and is more difficult to ignite than black powder. In
|
|
use it requires a strong igniter charge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
III. POUDER BRUGERE
|
|
|
|
Pouder Brugere is made by grinding together the following
|
|
composition :
|
|
|
|
Ammonium nitrate 54 parts
|
|
Potassium nitrate 46 parts
|
|
|
|
The powder is pressed and granulated as in the making of black
|
|
powder. It is more powerful than black powder and gives less
|
|
smoke.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FRENCH AMMONAL
|
|
|
|
French Ammonal is an easily improvised low explosive mixture
|
|
of 86% Ammonium nitrate, 6% Stearic acid, and 8% Aluminum powder.
|
|
It is generly less effective than and equal weight of TNT.
|
|
Initiation by a Engineer's special blasting cap is recommended.
|
|
|
|
!>Flash Point<!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|