1572 lines
88 KiB
Plaintext
1572 lines
88 KiB
Plaintext
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Kitchen Improvised Blasting Caps
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by Tim Lewis
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Published by Information Publishing MCMDXXXV
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Transcribed to the electronic media by Thallion / Swedish Infomania 1995.
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Table Of Contents:
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Chapter 1: How Blasting Caps Works
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Chapter 2: Fuse Cap Manufacture
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Chapter 3: Electric Blasting Cap Manufacture
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Chapter 4: HMTD
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Chapter 5: DDNP
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Chapter 6: Acetone Peroxide
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Chapter 7: Double Salts
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Chapter 8: TACC
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Chapter 9: Mercury Fulminate
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Chapter 10: Lead Picrate
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Chapter 11: Nitrogen Sulfide
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Chapter 12: Silver Fulminate
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Chapter 13: Nitromannite
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Chapter 14: RDX
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Chapter 15: PETN
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Chapter 16: Picric Acid
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Chapter 17: MMAN
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Chapter 18: Tetryl
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Chapter 19: TeNN
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Chapter 20: Nitroguanidine
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HOW BLASTING CAPS WORK
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I know you have seen before, on T.V., the western where the good
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guy sticks a fuse in a stick of dynamite and presto he has a fuse
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detonation device? If you have used explosives in the military or otherwise
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you know that this is a bunch of huey! While there are explosive
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compositions that can be made to detonate this easily, this same trait
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gives them a dangerous nature that requires very special precautions, if
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they can be used at all.
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Detonation is in essence a chemical reaction brought about by a
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high velocity shock wave at speeds as low as 1100 M/sec. and going up to
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9300 M/sec. for "Medina" explosives. This shock wave is initially produced
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by the blasting cap and is continued throughout the explosive charge as the
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detonation progresses. These waves have the appearance, in high speed
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photos, similar to ripples in a smooth pond of water as a pebble is thrown
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in. These detonation waves must meet or exceed certain strength and rate
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requirements to detonate a particular charge or explosive. Each explosive
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has a different requirement for detonation from the blasting cap
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standpoint. A good rule of thumb for any explosive is to use more blasting
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cap than is needed. This is a good idea as most explosives can be
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overdriven with a larger than needed detonator. By overdriven, I mean that
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an abnormally high detonation rate can be achieved as the high speed
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detonation from the cap will carry over in the explosive.
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Many people with whom I have conversed, have mentioned pipe bombs
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that are made by filling a pipe with either black powder or smokeless
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powder. These pipe bombs are poor for fragmentation due to the actual
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deflagration nature of this type ordinance. Deflagration is the simple
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burning of a propellant or explosive. This will generate pressure great
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enough to rupture the container (pipe) and no more. 2" schedule 40 pipe
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will rupture at approximately 7144 P.S.I. If black powder or smokeless
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powder is being used, this is the maximum pressure a pipe bomb would
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generate. If this same pipe were filled with powdered ammonium nitrate-fuel
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oil explosive and detonated with a blasting cap with an approximate
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pressure of detonation of 600,000 P.S.I. plus. This same set up (cap
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initiated) with "Bullseye" brand smokeless powder from Hercules Inc.
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Wilmington Delaware as a pipe filler with a blasting cap will generate
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approximately 2,000,000 P.S.I. plus detonation pressure. This amounts to an
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8300% and 28000% increase over deflagration respectively. As these figures
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prove, true detonation is awesome and an unbelievable increase over simple
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propellant deflagration explosive fillers. Most of the high CHNO explosive
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groups will make the transition from deflagration to detonation. Usually
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this transition will require the build up of a good deal of pressure. The
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ammonium nitrate cargos of the High Flyer and Grandcamp are said to possibly
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have undergone this type of deflagration to detonation transition. This
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transitions, caused the detonation of their cargos of thousands of tons of
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fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate. This detonation in Texas City, Texas
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Harbor, in 1947 generated 50 million dollars damage and jiggled seismograph
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needles in Denver, Colorado. This was the largest nonnuclear explosion in
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U.S. history.
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As mentioned earlier we have explained that detonation is a shock
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wave introduced chemical reaction. This detonation wave, and what happens,
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is perhaps explained easier in the drawing below. In this drawing the zone
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in front of the shocK wave is the unreacted zone. Behind this zone, the
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shock wave is seen. This area of the shock wave is called the "Shock zone."
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This is the mechanical shock wave that originated at the detonator. This
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shock zone is usually 0.00001 cm long. The "chemical reaction zone"
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immediately follows the shock zone. The shock zone is the point of the
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highest pressure of the detonation. The "chemical reaction zone" is the
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part of the detonation zone that has the highest temperature and velocity.
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This chemical reaction zone is where the actual chemical reactions of the
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detonation, and the subsequent detonation byproducts are produced. This
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zone does not actually include the detonation byproducts because the
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reactions are not complete. This chemical reaction zone is usually 0.1 to
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1.0 cm long. One of the characteristic differences of deflagration and
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detonation is the flow of the byproducts. In deflagration the products flow
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from the combustion zone. In detonation the products flow toward the shock
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zone.
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At times the detonation zone in an explosive can progress through
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the explosive at a much slower than normal rate. This is called low order
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detonation. Nitroglycerin, one of the most powerful explosives known, still
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has this undesirable trait. "Nitro" can detonate with high order detonation
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rates of over 8000 M/sec. while low order detonation can be as low at 1500
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M/sec..
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Density of explosives have a great bearing on the rate of the
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detonation zone than the explosive mass. Every explosive has a greater
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detonation velocity with respect to the density. These are fixed and
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unchangeable under ideal conditions. Usually, the greater the density, the
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higher the detonation rate. Also, the higher the density, the lower the
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sensitivity. These statements, of course, are generalizations and will not
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hold true always. In a classic sense they give somewhat of an idea as to
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the way explosives perform.
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As this is a field of explosive that can become a lifelong study,
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we won't attempt to give course in these theories. It is good, however, to
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understand why explosives perform the way they do so that maximum use could
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be had from them. The theory above is the hydrodynamic theory of
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detonation. This is the most generally accepted of the explosive detonation
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theories. For further reading here are two good books:
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DETONATION AND TWO-PHASE FLOW
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Vol. 6 of "Progress in Astronautics and Rocketry"
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by S.S. Penner & B.P. Mullins Academic Press (NY NY)
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SCIENCE OF HIGH EXPLOSIVES
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by M.A. Cook
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Available from Information Publishing
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For the purpose of this book we will cover two different types of
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explosives. Primary and base explosives, with respect to blasting cap
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manufacture and the manufacture of these explosives.
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Primary explosives are usually sensitive to shock, friction, and
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heat. They are used to detonate the base charge in blasting caps. These
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explosives are used due to the ability of the primary explosive to make an
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easy and quick transition to detonation. As a general rule, these
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explosives require very little confinement to make the deflagration to
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detonation transition.
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The detonation wave set up by the primary explosive is the
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beginning of the detonation process. This primary shock wave will detonate
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the base charge in the caps. The base charge of the cap is normally R.D.X.
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or some other high explosive. The base charge needs to be powerful and
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stable, but still sensitive to the primary detonation wave.
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The 6700 M/sec. plus base charge detonation velocity, will set off
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the main charge and with lower velocity explosive will overdrive them by
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sending such a high velocity shock wave through the explosive.
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FUSE CAP MANUFACTURE
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Being totally realistic one cannot hope to produce a blasting cap
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comparable to commercial products. The precision of modern manufacturing
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can produce caps cheaply and safely. The actual loading process is a
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dangerous one, but can be made relatively safe by taking the precautions
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outlined in the processes below. The home producer, can however,
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manufacture a cap that will work 99% of the time. These "homemade" caps
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will detonate most of the high explosives that their commercial
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counterparts will.
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Fuse caps are blasting caps that are fired by the flame from a
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safety fuse. This flame ignites the flash charge of loose black powder.
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This, in turn, ignites the primary explosive. This primary explosive makes
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the transition from burning (deflagration) to detonation. These caps can be
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loaded as a simple cap or a compound cap. The simple cap has only the flash
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charge and the primary explosive. The compound caps have both these
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ingredients plus a high explosive base charge. The compound caps are
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usually a good deal stronger due to the high explosive base charge. To
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manufacture these caps the explosives are simply pressed into the cap
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container. This container should be 1/4 inch in diameter (or larger)
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copper or aluminum tubing 1.25" long or a 5.56 mm N.A.T.O. spent cartridge.
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The tubing can have one end sealed with a wooden plug or simply be crimped
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closed with a pair of pliers. The burr should be removed from the open end
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of the tubing. After removing this burr, these tubes would be ready to load
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with the explosive charges. When using a 5.56 mm N.A.T.O. spent case the
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primer would need to be removed. After this has been done the flash hole
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would need to be enlarged enough to accept the fuse. This could be
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accomplished with a hand drill or by using a nail. The cap case would then
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be ready to insert the fuse and load with the explosive charges. The copper
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or aluminum tubes would need the base charge to be pressed in first. This
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pressing should be done with a close fitting wooden dowel. This should also
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be done with the tube supported rigidly from underneath and surrounded with
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bags of sand to absorb the explosion, if necessary. Find in this section a
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drawing of a loading apparatus. This apparatus would be safe as the
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operator would be remote. This press would be simple to make and would be
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highly recommended. Next the primary charge should be pressed into the
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tube.
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CAUTION: Primary explosives are very sensitive to friction and impact !
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Extreme care should be taken in this step of the procedure. A foul up here
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could be very dangerous !
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After this primary charge is pressed a very small amount of black
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powder is placed on top of the primary charge. This will ensure the
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ignition of the primary charge. The fuse is then placed in the mouth of the
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filled tube so that the end contacts the black powder ignition charge.
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NOTE: Use only good quality safety fuse available from: Westech Corp. P.O.B.
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593, Logan UT. 84321, Zeller Enterprises, P. O. Drawer W 2, WickenburgA Z.
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85358. Goodfuse can be made by soaking cotton twine in a saturated solution
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of potassium chlorate. This, however, will not be as reliable and therefore
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not as safe.
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A small wad of cotton is then pressed on top of the fuse and initer
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charge so that the fuse can exit the tube on one side. This is then crimped
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with pliers. Care should be taken to ensure the primary explosive is not
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present in the area of the tube to be crimped, as this crimping with this
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primary in between the tube walls could very well cause the premature
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detonation of the cap. This cap would then be ready to use.
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Simple caps can be loaded similarly with the deletion of the base
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charge in the loading. They can also be loaded into a .22 magnum spent
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cartridge case in a manner similar to the method above. These small caps
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will not be as powerful as the larger caps. Some of the primaries would not
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be suitable and all of the others would need their primary charge doubled
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for maximum performance.
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The 5.56 mm cartridge case would be load is the exact opposite of
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the copper or aluminum tube caps. The fuse would be inserted into the case
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through the flash hole. The black powder ignition charge would then be
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place in the bottom of the case. The primary would then be placed in the
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bottom of the case. The primary would then be pressed into the case
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carefully and of course on top of that would be the base charge. After
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these were pressed into the case a small ball of cotton or paper would be
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pressed into the case to fill the remaining portion. Then the end of the
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case would be crimped with pliers to close the cap. This cap would then be
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ready to use.
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1/4" aluminum or copper tube.
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Igniter: Black Powder .20 G.
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PRIMARY:
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HMTD .75 G.
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DDNP .50 G.
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Mercury Fulminate .75 G.
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Double Salts .75 G.
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Nitromannite .50 G.
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BASE:
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RDX 1.0 G.
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PETN 1.0 G.
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Picric Acid 1.0 G.
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TeNN 1.0 G.
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Nitromannite 1.0 G.
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MMAN (3/8" tubing) 3.0 G.
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Nitroguanidine 2.0 G.
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Tetryl 1.5 G.
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As you can see by the above chart the nitromannite is listed as
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both a primary and a base charge. The reason for this is, that while it is
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not actually a primary explosive, it tends to function as one.
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Nitromannite's use as a base charge makes use of the 8000+ M/sec.
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detonation velocity. This nitromannite is a very touchy substance with
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sensitivity approaching that of nitroglycerin. It would be best used as a
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last resort.
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5.56 mm Empty cartridge case:
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Igniter:
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Black powder 2.O G. 3 grains
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PRIMARY:
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HMTD
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DDNP .50 G
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Mercury Fulminate .75 G
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TACC 1.0 G
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Double Salts .75 G
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Lead Picrate 3.0 G
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Nitromannite .50 G
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TACN 4.5 G
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BASE:
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PETN 1.0 G
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RDX 1.0 G
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TeNN 1.0 G
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Nitromannite 1.0 G
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Picric Acid 1.0 G
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Nitroguanidine 2.0 G
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MMAN (7.62case) 3.0 G
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Tetryl 1.5 G
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TACN is listed here as a primary. This is given due to the ease of
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manufacture. This primary is stated in literature to detonate T.N.T.. The
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need for a heavy wall thickness detonator capsule would limit this to 5.56
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mm shell detonators or larger empty shells. The use of MMAN would require
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waterproofing the finished cap by dipping in molten wax or paraffin.
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ELECTRIC BLASTING CAP MANUFACTURE
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Electric blasting caps offer a good deal more versatility to the
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blaster. This allows better and more remote blasting operations and the
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possibility for timed blasting applications are great but cannot offer the
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versatility of application. The electric blasting cap (EBC) can.
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EBC's are very simple in their function. Current is passed through
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the two wires leading from the cap. This current, due to resistance, heats
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a small "bridge wire" which in turn fires an ignition mixture. This, in
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turn, fires the primary explosive and base charge respectively. The problem
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with improvisation is finding a suitable performing bridge wire which will
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give reliable performance. Earlier literature has stated that the "guts"
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from light bulbs will work. They will work but cannot be expected to resist
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corrosion produced by some situations and could not be expected to give
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stable reliable detonation instigation.
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Take a spent 7.62 mm N.A.T.O. case. with a small pin punch, nail or
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other small slender rigid object, reach into the case and knock out the
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fired primer. Enlarge the flash hole with a 1/8 inch diameter drill.
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Deburr this enlarged hole so that the wires passing through will not have
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their insulation cut by these burrs, and thus causing a dud. Pass two
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sections of 22 gauge insulated wire, twelve inches long, through the 1/8
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inch hole so that they go completely through the case, and their ends are
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free of the case mouth. Strip 1/8 inch of the insulation off the wires
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protruding from the case mouth. Cut a 3/8 inch section of .01 inch "nichrome
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wire", which is available at any hobby store or from nearly any electronics
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supplier. Nichrome wire is the wire inside toasters and other appliances
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that gets hot when current is passed through it. Discarded appliances could
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be another source of this wire. This piece of nichrome wire is spliced into
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both of the wires at the case mouth. Splice the 22 gauge wires to both ends
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of the nichrome wire bride. This splice can be formed by twisting the
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nichrome wire around the upper part of the stripped 22 gauge wire and the
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lower part of the 22 gauge wire bent up to form a loop. A drop of solder is
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placed on these splices to ensure a good circuit. Outside dimensions of
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this improvised "bridge wire" should not be greater than .28 inches. A small
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wooden support should then be placed above the junction of the bridge wire.
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This will help the improvised bridge resist deformation and breaks from
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loading the cap. This wooden support could be made of a wooden match stick
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cut to length. This support should be 1/4 inch or less in length, with
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the ends notched out for the 22 gauge wire. These wires should be glued on
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the support stick. This whole bridge wire unit should be narrow enough to
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allow it to be pulled inside the 7.62 mm case even with the priming mixture
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on it. The wires should be twisted together on the other side of the wooden
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support after the glue on the ends of the support stick have dried,
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securing the wires in place. These bridge wire units are now ready to have
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their igniter composition placed on them. We will give three different
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compositions for this.
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#1
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Match heads (ground damp with acetone) 50%
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Smokeless powder 50%
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#2
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Black powder (improvised will work) 50%
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Smokeless powder 50%
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#3
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Potassium Perchlorate 60%
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Sulfur 38%
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White glue (Elmer's) enough to form a pasty mass
|
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The first two of these compositions should be used by mixing and
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||
slightly dampened with acetone. This will form a putty type mixture. This
|
||
is pressed very gently around the bridge wire assembly. Remember, you have
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||
to get this back into the case, and when dry this priming mixture will be
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||
as hard as rock. It should also be said that great care should be taken to
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||
ensure the continuity of the circuit. This can and should be checked by
|
||
using a ohm meter. Let these dry, and they are almost ready to load with
|
||
explosives. You may want to test one of these before loading to see how they
|
||
work. In tests, these bridge wires when used in ignition squibs, where 98%
|
||
reliable. They are also sensitive to 2 "C" batteries or larger.
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Gently pull the bridge assembly into the case with the wires
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extended from the other side: When firmly in the case as far as possible,
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put several drops of "model airplane glue" in the recess where the spent
|
||
primer was. This is allowed to dry. When dry, these are ready to load.
|
||
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These are loaded with the same amounts of explosives as the fused
|
||
caps so use the table in that section of this book to find the quantity to
|
||
load. The only difference is the amount of black powder igniter used. Use
|
||
1/8 to 1/4 gram of black powder for the igniter charge. This is done to
|
||
cushion the bridge wire when the primary and base explosives are pressed
|
||
in. After the addition of the black powder igniter, tap the case to settle
|
||
this charge. The primary explosive charge is very carefully pressed on top
|
||
of the igniter charge with a wooden dowel and remotely if possible. Best
|
||
results will be obtained with the press apparatus. See the drawing. The
|
||
base charge is then pressed on on top of the primary charge. Check the
|
||
circuits, one at a time, with a OHM meter from behind a barricade. Press
|
||
cotton in the remaining part of the case, a crimp with cotton, in the part
|
||
of the case that is being crimped. These can be water proofed by dipping
|
||
the completed cap in hot wax for just long enough to immerse them
|
||
completely. These caps are ready to use and will equal a #8 or #10 blasting
|
||
cap.
|
||
|
||
HMTD (Hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY 4511 M/sec. @ 0.88 G/cc
|
||
5100 M/sec. @ 1.10 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY Very Sensitive!!!
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME Small quantities flash like guncotton
|
||
Large accumulations will detonate.
|
||
|
||
|
||
HMTD is a high performance initiating explosive. It is one of the
|
||
better initiating explosives but has some definite drawbacks. HMTD is not
|
||
stable at even slightly elevated temperatures. Room temperature will even
|
||
cause a decrease in performance with storage time. As one would imagine,
|
||
due to the extreme excess of oxygen, the corrosion of metals in contact
|
||
with the peroxide is a problem. The metals that will cause problems are
|
||
aluminum, zinc, antimony, brass, copper, lead and iron. These metals in
|
||
contact with the HMTD even when dry, will cause corrosion. With water
|
||
present, in the HMTD, the corrosion would more quickly disable an
|
||
improvised blasting cap that could be made with this material. Spraying the
|
||
inside of your copper tubing with urethane plastic would most likely reduce
|
||
greatly, if not completely stop, this corrosion problem. To manufacture
|
||
HMTD, use one of the processes below.
|
||
|
||
Process #1
|
||
|
||
Obtain 6% hair bleaching peroxide which is available from any
|
||
beauty salon or beauty supply store. This is a 20 volume hydrogen peroxide.
|
||
Place 9 teaspoons of this. 6% peroxide in a one pint canning jar or 500 ml
|
||
beaker. In three portions dissolve by stirring 2-1/2 teaspoons of powdered
|
||
hexamine (Crushed U.S. Army ration heating tablets, See "Kitchen Improvised
|
||
Plastic Explosives" chapter 2, "Urintropine" etc.). This is stirred until
|
||
all the hexamine dissolves. The solution should then be chilled in a ice
|
||
water bath for 1/2 hour. To this chilled solution add, in four portions,
|
||
4-1/2 teaspoons of powdered citric acid. Citric acid is readily available
|
||
and should be found with canning supplies or in a pharmacy. With each
|
||
addition the solution should be stirred until the citric acid dissolves in
|
||
the liquid before another addition is made. When all the additions have
|
||
been made continue stirring the liquid. The beaker or jar containing the
|
||
solution should remain in the ice bath. The solution will become cloudy.
|
||
With the completior<6F> of the 1/2 hour stirring the liquid is placed in a
|
||
refrigerator. This will speed he process. If a refrigerator is not
|
||
available let the solution stand for 24 hours. Filter the solution through
|
||
a paper towel or coffee filter. The white substance is the explosive.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: HMTD is sensitive to shock, impact, friction, heat and open flame.
|
||
Extreme care should be exercised. HMTD will detonate from any of these
|
||
stimuli even when soaked with water.
|
||
|
||
These white crystals are washed with 45 ml of distilled water. Tap
|
||
water can be used if necessary, but will yield a compound of lesser purity.
|
||
They are then washed with 75 ml methanol alcohol. These crystals are
|
||
allowed to dry in a cool dry place. If a 30% technical grade ("Superoxol")
|
||
of hydrogen peroxide is available it should be used instead of the 6%. If
|
||
30% is used the proportions are as follows to use in the same process as
|
||
above are:
|
||
|
||
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. "Superoxol" (30% d. 1.11 G/cc)- 185 G
|
||
HEXAMINE (Crushed ration heating tablets) 56 G
|
||
CITRIC ACID (tech. grade or food grade) 84 G
|
||
|
||
These are used in the procedure given above. Simply "plug in" the amount
|
||
immediately above for the spoon wise proportions given in the 6% hydrogen
|
||
peroxide process and the washing would be done with 150 ml cold water. Of
|
||
course in the procedure if 35% or 40% is the only type hydrogen peroxide
|
||
available, then simply calculate the actual weight of hydrogen peroxide. We
|
||
know that 185 G. of peroxide are used above. This is 30% hydrogen
|
||
peroxide.185 G. X.30=55.5 G.. We know that we need 55.5 G. hydrogen
|
||
peroxide. Suppose we have some 40% peroxide. We take our 55.5 and divide
|
||
by.40 thus 55.5 / 0.40=138.75. Simply use 139.0 G. of this 40% hydrogen
|
||
peroxide in the procedure above. The yield of this process with 30%
|
||
hydrogen peroxide is much greater that is the use of 6% hydrogen peroxide.
|
||
But with the 6% being the easier of the two to obtain it still would hold
|
||
possibilities
|
||
|
||
PROCESS #2
|
||
|
||
This second process is one of very easy acquisition of the main
|
||
ingredients. Yield is not as high as the procedure above with either
|
||
strength peroxide. This process makes use of the easy formation of hexamine
|
||
and the parallel formation of a slightly acid solution. This acid is
|
||
liberated from the ammonium sulfate salt. It is, of course, sulfuric acid.
|
||
This acid performs the function of the citric acid in the procedure above.
|
||
This is after the free ammonia and the formaldehyde form hexamine. Yield
|
||
will be relatively low with this procedure but the materials are readily
|
||
available and cheap. Since this procedure takes place at a elevated
|
||
temperature there will be some lost of product to this subsequent heat and
|
||
the decomposition that will accompany it. This process will work and could
|
||
be used if necessary.
|
||
|
||
Five hundred grams of 3% hydrogen peroxide are placed in a quartjar
|
||
or 1000 ml beaker. Three percent hydrogen peroxide is available as an
|
||
antiseptic solution in grocery stores, etc... To this is added fifty grams
|
||
ammonium sulfate. Ammonium sulfate is available as common fertilizer. This
|
||
is stirred until dissolved. This liquid should be heated in a water bath to
|
||
55 degrees C. (131 degrees F.). Immediately when the temperature reaches
|
||
this temperature add 5.3 grams of 37% formaldehyde solution. Stir this
|
||
solution well and take off water bath. Let this liquid cool to room
|
||
temperature and set for 24 hours. A white product will be seen in the
|
||
liquid at this time.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: This white product is dangerous and sensitive to FRICTION, SHOCK,
|
||
HEAT OR FLAME. Handle with great care !! Even wet H.M.T.D. is dangerous
|
||
and will detonate with ease.
|
||
|
||
This is filtered out and washed with one washing of 50 ml distilled
|
||
water and then with 75 ml of 100% methanol. The methanol will speed the
|
||
drying process. This white fluffy powder will be H.M.T.D. This powder will
|
||
be sensitive to friction and small quantities should be handled.
|
||
|
||
|
||
DDNP (Diazodinitrophenol)--
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY-4400 M/sec. @ 0.9 G/cc
|
||
6600 M/sec. @ 1.5 G/cc
|
||
6900 M/sec. @ 1.6 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Less sensitive than mercury fulminate and the same
|
||
as lead azid.
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Small quantities flash like guncotton. Large 6 grams
|
||
and larger would likely detonate.
|
||
|
||
DDNP is one of the highest in performance of nearly all the
|
||
homemade primary explosive. It is stable and compatible with other
|
||
explosives, but, lead azide. This is a good choice for manufacture as the
|
||
precursor to this DDNP primary explosive is picric acid. Picric acid is
|
||
more powerful than T.N.T. with a detonation rate of 7200 M/sec. it
|
||
becomes the base charge for your homemade caps. It is prepared by a
|
||
diazotization reaction on picramic acid. This is produced from picric acid,
|
||
sodium hydroxide (lye) and sulfur. See picric acid for it's manufacture
|
||
instructions.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE:
|
||
|
||
In a pint glass jar place 90 ml warm water and 1.5 grams of lye
|
||
(sodium hydroxide). Mix these with a "teflon" stirrer until all the lye had
|
||
dissolved. Dissolve 9 grams of picric acid crystals in the lye-water
|
||
solution by stirring. Label this jar solution #1. In a 500 ml beaker 3 ml
|
||
of water is placed. Dissolve 7.5 grams of sulfur and 7.5 grams of lye (sodium
|
||
hydroxide) by stirring the solution. Boil this solution over a heat source.
|
||
When the solution turns dark red remove and allow the liquid to cool. Label
|
||
this solution #2. Add this cooled solution #2 in three portions, to
|
||
solution #1. Stir with a teflon rod while the liquid is being added. Again
|
||
allow the solution mixture cool. Filter this mixture through filter papers
|
||
(coffee filter, paper towels). Small red particles will gather on the
|
||
paper. Discard the liquid. Dissolve these red particle in 180 ml of boiling
|
||
water. Remove and filter this hot liquid through a filter paper (coffee
|
||
filter, paper towels). Discard the particles left on the paper and label
|
||
the liquid left #3. To Solution t#3 with an eyedropper slowly add sulfuric
|
||
acid (Janitor supply, boiled battery acid) to the filtered solution until
|
||
it turns orange brown. Add an additional 7.5 grams of acid to the liquid.
|
||
In a separate pintjar, dissolve 5.4 grams of potassium or sodium nitrite in
|
||
240 ml of water. Label this solution #4. In one portion solution #4 is
|
||
added with stirring to solution #3. Allow the solution to stand for 10
|
||
minutes. The mixture will turn light brown.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: At this point the brown color is the DDNP that has formed. Keep
|
||
away from flame, avoid friction and keep from shock.
|
||
|
||
Filter the light brown solution through a filter paper (paper towel, coffee
|
||
filter). Wash the particles left on the paper with 60 ml of water. Allow to
|
||
completely dry for 24 hours. Drying time can be reduced to 2 hours if
|
||
crystals are placed in a shallow pyrex dish and this placed in a hot (not
|
||
boiling) water bath.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: DDNP is sensitive to shock, friction and flame. Expose to any of
|
||
these will very likely detonate the compound prematurely.
|
||
|
||
This powder should be stored in small quantities in stoppered glass
|
||
containers. More safety in storage leave 25% water in the powder and dry
|
||
immediately prior to use.
|
||
|
||
|
||
ACETONE PEROXIDE-(Acetonetriperoxide)
|
||
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY-3750 M/sec @ 0.92 G/cc
|
||
5300 M/sec @ 1.18 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Very sensitive. One of the more sensitive in this
|
||
book.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Burns violently and sometimes detonates even in small
|
||
quantities.
|
||
|
||
Acetone peroxide is a powerful primary explosive. It, as with other
|
||
explosive peroxides, seems to be very volatile. In standing 10 days at room
|
||
temperature, 50% of the sample will completely volatilize. It is a powerful,
|
||
brisant explosive. It's vaporizable nature makes it a explosive that would
|
||
have to be used immediately after manufacture. However, this explosive is
|
||
compatible with metals and will not cause their corrosion and the
|
||
subsequent dangers involved. It is also compatible with picric acid,
|
||
R.D.X., T.N.T., P.E.T.N., Tetryl, potassium chlorate and antimony sulfide.
|
||
|
||
It is highly friction sensitive and extreme care should be taken to
|
||
avoid this. Acetone peroxide is one of the most sensitive explosive known
|
||
to man. Great care would be needed to handle this explosive carefully. It
|
||
is a powerful primary base charge in the cap. Also mixtures of R.D.X. and
|
||
Picric acid with acetone peroxide are reported to be used between primary
|
||
explosive and the base charge.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Acetone peroxide one of the most sensitive explosive known to man.
|
||
this composition is dangerous and would need to be handled by someone with
|
||
a lot of common sense. Mixtures such as picric acid/acetone peroxide (40/60)
|
||
or similar mixtures with R.D.X. and P.E.T.N. will give explosives greatly
|
||
increased resistance to impact without losing much initiation performance.
|
||
|
||
Great care would be needed to ensure the safety of the manufacturer
|
||
due to the high sensitivity of the acetone peroxide. These dried crystals
|
||
would be ready to load into detonators for immediate use as the storage
|
||
stability is not very good.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE:
|
||
|
||
Acetone peroxide is formed when hydrogen peroxide 30% acts on
|
||
acetone. The introduction of dilute sulfuric acid causes the reaction to go
|
||
into completion. Procedure is as follows. 50 ml acetone is placed in a one
|
||
pint jar or 500 ml beaker. To this is added 30 ml hydrogen peroxide (30%).
|
||
This liquid is placed in an ice water bath and cooled to 5 degrees
|
||
centigrade. To this cooled mixture is added 3 ml of sulfuric acid (20%).
|
||
This addition is done at 5 degrees centigrade and done in a dropwise
|
||
fashion. When the temperature begins to rise (10 degrees C.), slow the
|
||
addition until the temperature falls again. With the completion of the
|
||
addition stir the mixture. A flocculent precipitate will form. This is
|
||
filtered out after the mixture stands for one hour. Wash the white product
|
||
three times with water (distilled preferably). Let the material filtered
|
||
out of the reaction liquids and washed and dry this solid. By spreading out
|
||
the acetone peroxide this drying process can be speeded up. These dry
|
||
crystals are now ready for loading into the caps as a primary explosives.
|
||
|
||
|
||
DOUBLE SALTS
|
||
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY-3600 M/sec. @ 3.96 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - This primary explosive is on the same order of
|
||
sensitivity as is lead azide.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Burns violently and sometimes detonates even in small
|
||
quantities.
|
||
|
||
These double salts are a basic acetylide group primary explosive.
|
||
This explosive has good sensitivity, powder and performance. It is readily
|
||
made from silver (coin), nitric acid and calcium carbide/ water or
|
||
acetylene. This is an easy compound to make. What I found interesting is
|
||
the fact that this primary is not photo active. Most silver salts are light
|
||
sensitive. This would be a good choice due to the wide availability to the
|
||
main ingredients. DDNP, HMTD and mercury fulminate, are better primary
|
||
explosives but this one has many possibilities. With this primary explosive
|
||
suitable caps could be made and would be very usable and storage stable as
|
||
some others in this publication could not.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
Dilute 10.1 ml of nitric acid (red fuming) with 6.75 ml of water.
|
||
If reagent or technical grade acid is available (70% strength) this will
|
||
not need any water mixed with it to reduce the strength. Simply use 17.5 ml
|
||
of this 70% nitric acid. Place a silver dime or equivalent amount of silver
|
||
metal in the acid. It will dissolve leaving a green solution.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Avoid the brown gas (nitrogen dioxide) produced when dissolving
|
||
the silver metal in the acid. This gas is a deadly poison and the immediate
|
||
exposure to the gas and it s subsequent damage will not show up for hours
|
||
or even days! This should be done with good ventilation!
|
||
|
||
It may be necessary to heat the liquid to get the coin or metal to
|
||
completely dissolve. Pour this green solution into a tall slender glass jar
|
||
such as an olive jar. Place this jar with the green solution in it in a hot
|
||
water bath and heat. Crystals will form. The heating is continued until
|
||
these crystals dissolve again. In another flask or even a "Coke" bottle,
|
||
place ten teaspoons of calcium carbide into this flask with a cork with a
|
||
hose passing through a hole in the cork. Place the other end of the hose in
|
||
the tall jar with the solution in it. Remove the stopper from the flask or
|
||
bottle and add one teaspoon of water.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Acetylene gas is highly flammable and an explosion hazard. Keep
|
||
away from heat and flame as much as possible.
|
||
|
||
The gas should begin generating. Add one more teaspoon and place
|
||
the stopper back into the container. The acetylene gas generated by the
|
||
calcium carbide and water should be going through the hose and bubbling
|
||
through the solution in the tall glass. Bubble this gas through the
|
||
solution for 5-8 minutes. Brown vapor will be given off by the liquid as is
|
||
absorbs acetylene and white flakes will begin to be formed in the silver
|
||
solution. Remove the solution from the heat source and allow it to cool.
|
||
Filter the liquid through a filter paper (paper towel, coffee filter) into
|
||
a glass container. Green crystals will be caught on the filter paper. These
|
||
green crystals would then be washed with 45 ml alcohol. The crystals will
|
||
change from green to white in color and the methanol wash will turn green.
|
||
Place these white crystals on a paper towel and allow to air dry.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Handle this dry explosive with great care. Do not scrape or handle
|
||
roughly. Keep away from flame or spark source or heat and store in a cool
|
||
dry place.
|
||
|
||
These salts will perform well and are easy to make. Their stability
|
||
is good, which is very important. A good choice of primary explosives.
|
||
|
||
|
||
TACC (Tetraminecopper (II) Chlorate)
|
||
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - Not given
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - This primary explosive is as sensitive as is lead
|
||
azide
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Deflagrates with a green flame. Requires confinement to
|
||
detonate.
|
||
|
||
Tetramine copper chlorate is a very interesting primary explosive.
|
||
While it has these good properties it is also easily made. It's drawbacks
|
||
are the tendency to "deadpress" or become so packed that it will not
|
||
detonate the base charge in the cap and water contamination problems. For
|
||
this primary explosive to detonate it must be loose in the detonator shell.
|
||
It would be best used in caps where the base charge is pressed in first.
|
||
Rifle shell improvised blasting caps would not work well with this
|
||
explosive due to this property. In this reaction the sodium chlorate and
|
||
the copper sulfate are heated together with methanol. This reaction
|
||
produced copper chlorate. This copper chlorate dissolved in methanol. It
|
||
then has ammonia gas bubbled thru the solution. The tetramine group is
|
||
added in this step. So the main actors in this chemical play are copper
|
||
sulfate other wise known as "blue vitriol". Copper sulfate is available
|
||
from feed stores or electroplating chemical supplier. Sodium chlorate is
|
||
also a chemical required and would be available from matches, dyes,
|
||
textiles manufacture and as a weed killer. "Kitchen Improvised Plastic
|
||
Explosives" has a section on chlorate manufacture in chapters four five and
|
||
six. Ammonia is the last building block. This can be generated in one of
|
||
two ways which will be explained in the manufacture section. The methanol
|
||
used is just a reaction liquid and a carrier, as it does not actually enter
|
||
into the reaction. One problem with this process is the contamination of
|
||
the methanol with water. This allows the sodium sulfate to become soluble
|
||
in the first reaction and will remove the ability to separate the products
|
||
of the reaction. The process is longer than others but is simple and
|
||
produced a good purity, stable product. This primary explosive should be
|
||
kept dry, as it could begin to decompose in the presence of moisture.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE-
|
||
|
||
Measure 15 grams of sodium chlorate into a large mouth pint bottle.
|
||
Sodium chlorate is the oxidizer in matches. It is also available as a weed
|
||
killer. Add 360 ml of methanol or ethanol to the sodium chlorate in the
|
||
pint jar. To this add 24 grams of copper sulfate. Place this liquid in a
|
||
hot water bath. Heat at the boiling point for 30 minutes with occasionally
|
||
stirring the liquid during the reaction.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Remember methanol is very flammable and great care should be taken
|
||
to ensure the lack of open flame in it s proximity. Avoid
|
||
breathing the vapors of methanol.
|
||
|
||
Keep the volume constant by continually adding alcohol to replace what is
|
||
being boiled away. After 30 minutes remove the jar from the water bath. The
|
||
color of the solution should change from blue to light green. Filter the
|
||
solution into a jar through a paper towel or drip coffee filter. The
|
||
filtrate (liquid) should be caught in a jar similar to the one used in the
|
||
first step. Label this liquid #1. In a narrow necked gallonjar or flask
|
||
and a stopper (one hole) place 1500 ml clear ammonia water in the solution.
|
||
This is available from the grocery store in a clear non-soapy form. In the
|
||
mouth of this is placed a stopper with one hole and a plastic or rubber
|
||
hose. This is placed into a hot water bath. Ammonia will begin to generate
|
||
out of the gallon jug. A better ammonia generator could be made by filling
|
||
a long necked bottle or flask with 250 grams lye (sodium hydroxide). 500
|
||
grams of dry ammonium nitrate fertilizer or ammonium sulfate fertilizer is
|
||
added. Addition of small quantities of water and closing with a stopper
|
||
hose set up could generate greater quantities of ammonia and it would be
|
||
drier ammonia due to the nature of its generation. Generation would be
|
||
maintained by the addition of more water. But with either method the hose
|
||
should be placed in the liquid in the liquid #1. The ammonia gas should be
|
||
bubbled through the liquid. It will begin to absorb ammonia turn light
|
||
blue. Continue bubbling for 10 minutes.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: The ammonia gas generated will kill or cause grave damage if
|
||
exposure is severe. Use with good ventilation.
|
||
|
||
The solution will turn dark blue. Bubble the ammonia gas through solution
|
||
#1 for ten more minutes and remove the hose from the solution. Reduce the
|
||
volume of the liquid by pouring into a shallow pyrex dish. Set this dish
|
||
under a fan and allow 1/2 the alcohol to evaporate. Filter (paper towel
|
||
or drip coffee filters) the crystals that remain in the liquid and wash
|
||
them with 50 ml very cold methanol. Set these aside to dry for 16-24 hours.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Explosive is shock and flame sensitive and great care should be
|
||
exercised during handling.
|
||
|
||
MERCURY FULMINATE
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 3500 M/sec. @2.0 G.cc.
|
||
4250 M/sec. @3.0 G/cc.
|
||
5000 M/sec. @4.0 G/cc.
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Sensitive to friction and shocks
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Deflagrates when one crystal is ignited. Layers several
|
||
crystals deep detonate violently.
|
||
|
||
Mercury fulminate had it's industrial beginnings in 1867. Alfred
|
||
Nobel took out a British patent on the blasting cap, its use and makeup.
|
||
His first blasting caps were simple ones very similar in many ways to the
|
||
one in this book. Mercury fulminate was chosen out of a field of explosive
|
||
fulminating compositions. This was mainly due to the stability that could
|
||
be obtained and the ability to lend it's self to commercial manufacture at
|
||
that time. Of course, the primary explosives used today are much superior
|
||
to mercury fulminate. Mercury fulminate is not good for storage at elevated
|
||
temperatures over 6-12 months. Five years in the magazine could disable
|
||
caps. It is a good choice for clandestine manufacture. It would also be a
|
||
very good choice for electric cap manufacture. The drawbacks would be the
|
||
poor elevated temperature storage and the toxic nature of mercury and
|
||
subsequent problems in loading.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
In a pint large mouth fruit jar or 500 ml beaker place either 2 ml
|
||
water and 10 ml 90%+ nitric acid. Water first of course. If 70% nitric acid
|
||
is available then place 11.5 ml of it instead of the 90% in the pintjar.
|
||
Add 1 1/4 gram of mercury. Mercury should be available in thermometers,
|
||
mercury switches and in old radio tubes.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Mercury fulminate manufacture generates fumes that are poisonous
|
||
and this whole procedure should be done with very good ventilation.
|
||
|
||
The metal in the bottom of the jar should begin to bubble. If not
|
||
add water dropwise to the solution until it does. A vigorous effervescent
|
||
reaction takes place and red fumes are produces. They should be avoided as
|
||
they are very poisonous. The mercury will all dissolve in the solution. If
|
||
not heat gently but from a remote position until it does. After it is
|
||
dissolved let it cool somewhat. Warm 90 cc of ethanol (90%+, "Everclear")
|
||
in a quartjar. Add the metal/acid to this ethyl alcohol. The reaction
|
||
should start within 5 minutes. The fumes put off by this mixture should be
|
||
avoided. When the reaction is complete the fumes will have subsided and a
|
||
grey powder will have settled to the bottom.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: The fumes produced are poisonous and flammable and they should be
|
||
avoided as well as flame should be kept away as fumes are highly
|
||
flammable too!
|
||
|
||
Filter the grey powder out of the liquid.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: The grey powder is the explosive and shock, friction and flame or
|
||
heat should be avoided! Contact with the crystals should be
|
||
avoided as the free mercury still poses a health problem!
|
||
|
||
These grey mercury fulminate crystals should be washed with 60 ml
|
||
ethyl alcohol. Allow the crystals to dry by spreading them out gently.
|
||
These dry mercury fulminate crystals are then ready to use. This explosive
|
||
can safely be stored under water and these crystals could be mixed with 200
|
||
ml distilled water and stored until needed.
|
||
|
||
LEAD PICRATE
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 4400 M/sec.
|
||
|
||
SENSITIVITY - This primary is very sensitive to shock friction and heat or
|
||
flame. This sensitivity is high and care should be used in
|
||
handling.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Burns violently and sometimes detonates even in small
|
||
quantities.
|
||
|
||
This is a good choice. The precursors to lead picrate and picric
|
||
acid, lead monoxide and methanol. PA can be used as the base charge in the
|
||
caps therefore reducing problems and simplification of production. It is
|
||
not nearly as good a primary explosive as H.M.T.D. or D.D.N.P. but will
|
||
work and is simple to make. Litharge, picric acid and methanol is all that
|
||
is needed to make this one. This is a very dense heavy primary due to the
|
||
lead in it's makeup. So from a cap volume use it is in the same class as
|
||
all the other primaries in this publication.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
In a shallow glass dish, dissolve two grams of picric acid (see PA
|
||
section) in ten ml of methanol. All stirring should be done with a teflon
|
||
or wooden stirrer. Slowly while stirring add two grams of litharge (lead
|
||
monoxide, white lead litharge-plumbing supply stores) to the methanol/PA
|
||
solution.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: At this point this is a primary explosive. Keep away from flame.
|
||
Continue stirring mixture until all the alcohol has evaporated. When this
|
||
happens the mixture will suddenly thicken. Stir the mixture occasionally to
|
||
stop any lumps from forming.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Beware of drying material forming on the inside of the container.
|
||
This material will be shock, flame and friction sensitive.
|
||
|
||
Spread this lead picrate in a flat shallow pan to dry. If possible dry the
|
||
mixture on a hot water bath for two hours. This will ultimately give a
|
||
better product with more stability.
|
||
|
||
NITROGEN SULFIDE
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Very sensitive to friction great care would be
|
||
needed to produce this compound.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Small quantities (less than one gram) deflagrate with a
|
||
puff and larger sizes will detonate.
|
||
|
||
CHARGE WEIGHT - 2.0 Grams in 3/8 copper tubing only.
|
||
|
||
Nitrogen sulfide is a dangerous compound to make. It is sensitive
|
||
to friction and heat. Mercury fulminate is much safer to use from the
|
||
friction aspect. This compound is more powerful than mercury fulminate but
|
||
with slightly less brisance. Storage stability is good for "straight"
|
||
nitrogen sulfide. In the proper mixture with potassium chlorate the primary
|
||
explosive is not stable @50 degrees C. for long periods of time. Heat can
|
||
and will cause detonations. It is however despite these problems, easily
|
||
prepared from common ingredients. This preparation is a simple one, with a
|
||
variety of raw materials. As good a primary explosive as lead picrate. The
|
||
recommended filler with this primary explosive is nitrogen sulfide 80% and
|
||
completely dry potassium chlorate 20%. This is mixed and 2 grams are loaded
|
||
over the charge and pressed on top the base charge. Better primary
|
||
explosives can be had but this one is easy and expedient.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
Place 100 grams of finely powdered sulfur (brimstone: garden supply
|
||
store, pharmacy, industrial chemical supply) is placed in a tall narrow
|
||
flask or narrow necked bottle equipped with a two hole stopper and placed
|
||
in a frying pan filled with oil and heated until the sulfur melts (215
|
||
degrees C., 420 degrees F.). In this place a hose from the chlorine gas
|
||
generator. This generator is a gallon jar with either liquid laundry bleach
|
||
(5.25% Sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution) or 31% hydrochloric (Muriatic
|
||
acid, swimming pool supply). to the bleach (total 1.2 gallons) is added in
|
||
small portions sodium bisulfite ("Saniflush": bathroom cleaners, sodium
|
||
acid sulfite, swimming pool additive). This generation with the bleach/
|
||
bisulfite generator should have the bleach split into three equal amounts
|
||
and reacted with the bisulfite one at a time. The second and third. 4
|
||
gallon refill should be done only after the green gas is no longer
|
||
generated by new sodium bisulfite additions. The spent bleach is poured out
|
||
of the gallonjug. The second or third fill are poured into the jug the
|
||
process repeated until all three 2/5 gallon bleach solutions are reacted
|
||
and the chlorine bubbled through the molten sulfur. To 255 grams
|
||
hydrochloric acid is added 53 grams manganese dioxide (black manganese
|
||
oxide: dry cell battery mfg., phosphating solutions, steel mfg.) in small
|
||
portions. This is done in small additions until all the manganese dioxide
|
||
is dissolved and the chlorine has stopped it's bubbling.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Chlorine gas is toxic avoid contact and used with very good
|
||
ventilation. Used as a war gas in WWI.
|
||
|
||
Immediately after the addition and beginning chlorine generation
|
||
place a one hole stopper to which some stainless steel or plastic (heat
|
||
resistant) tubing has been inserted in the hole. The other end of this hose
|
||
directs the chlorine gas generated through the two hole stopper into the
|
||
bottom of the now molten sulfur. The other hole of the two hole stopper has
|
||
a hose inserted just through the stopper. The end of this hose is placed
|
||
into a flask or narrow necked bottle cooled by a salted ice bath. This
|
||
sulfur will begin to absorb the chlorine generated. This reaction forming
|
||
sulfur dichloride. A total of 42 grams of chlorine need to be absorbed by
|
||
the sulfur. As this chlorine is dissolved sulfur dichloride will begin to
|
||
form. Sulfur is very soluble in sulfur chlorides and will begin to be
|
||
dissolved in the chloride already formed. This sulfur chloride will
|
||
vaporize and collect in the bottle chilled by the salted ice bath. This is
|
||
done until the temperature drops and begins to boil. Continue to pass the
|
||
chlorine gas through the liquid. After all the chlorine has gone through
|
||
the sulfur heat until the sulfur liquid no longer boils. Heat for another
|
||
ten minutes and allow to cool. The last flask should have caught most of
|
||
the sulfur dichloride liquid. Take the mixture off the heat and allow to
|
||
cool. Dissolve 212 gram of this liquid in 1700 grams benzene (common
|
||
industrial solvent).
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Sulfur dichloride (Sulfur chloride) is a pungent oily liquid. All
|
||
contact should be avoided! All steps of this process should be carried out
|
||
with good ventilation. Benzene is a very dangerous liquid. Contact with the
|
||
skin, breathing of the vapors are dangerous and should be avoided. Great
|
||
care should be used when handling this known carcinogen. It is also highly
|
||
flammable.
|
||
|
||
Filter this solution through a paper coffee filter. This filtering
|
||
should remove nearly all the sulfur. The remaining liquid should have no
|
||
solids in it. Then ammonia gas generator is set up and ammonia gas is
|
||
bubbled through the solution. The ammonia generator (ammonium nitrate/lye)
|
||
is described in TACC section of the primary explosive section of this book.
|
||
A dark brown powdery powder will collect in the bottom as the ammonia
|
||
bubbles through the liquid. Keep bubbling the ammonia gas through the
|
||
solution. Until this brown powder dissolves in the solution and a orange-
|
||
yellow color is observed. Flocculent ammonia chloride crystals are seen in
|
||
the liquid. Warm the benzene until it boils. Filter immediately through a
|
||
filter with 200 grams fresh benzene. Add this benzene wash to the
|
||
liquid just filtered (filtrate). Let this liquid evaprate until a mushy
|
||
crystalline mass remains and filter. Let these crystals dry. These golden
|
||
yellow to orange-red are nitrogen sulfide.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: This explosive is friction, flame and shock sensitive. Handle with
|
||
the greatest care.
|
||
|
||
This powder must be pressed into the cap using the apparatus shown
|
||
in the cap manufacture section for proper performance and moisture should
|
||
be avoided. Contamination with sulfur in mixtures with potassium chlorate
|
||
could very well cause an explosion!
|
||
|
||
SILVER FULMINATE
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Extremely friction sensitive! Should not be used if
|
||
other primary explosives can be made.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Single crystals explode violently. Larger amounts than
|
||
given in the process below should not be made.
|
||
|
||
CHARGE WEIGHT - 1.0 G. compound cap
|
||
|
||
Silver fulminate (SF) is an extremely dangerous compound. Friction
|
||
flame and sometimes contact with the dried product will cause it's
|
||
detonation. It's performance is fair and the acquisition of the raw
|
||
ingredients is simple. Never used due to the extremely unstable nature of
|
||
SF. If other primary explosive options existed they would be better choice
|
||
than this one. To use this primary explosive it must be mixed with tapioca
|
||
starch (flour) to reduce this explosive extreme sensitivity. It is easily
|
||
obtained due to the abundance of silver (coins, powder, ingots). Small
|
||
batches of SF should be made with protective barricades between the
|
||
operator and the reaction vessel. Again this explosive is dangerous and
|
||
should be avoided if at all possible.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
Place 6 ml nitric acid (1.42 G/cc common technical grade acid or
|
||
"watered" down stronger acid) in a 100 ml pyrex beaker containing 1.2 ml
|
||
water and heated to 95-100 degrees F.. Place one gram of silver, (coins,
|
||
bars, powder) in this acid solution.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: This addition should be done with excellent ventilation as the
|
||
nitrogen dioxide fumes generated are very toxic even in small
|
||
quantities!
|
||
|
||
This will begin to bubble as the silver is dissolved. This will form silver
|
||
nitrate in a very acid solution. When the silver dissolves (gentle heating
|
||
may be necessary to get all the mercury to dissolve). In a 500 ml beaker
|
||
surrounded by an ice bath place 15 ml 95% + ethyl alcohol ("Everclear" or
|
||
redistilled concentrate whiskey etc.) and add the silver/acid solution to
|
||
the liquid not allowing the temperature to rise above 65 degrees C.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: This addition will cause the generation of poison gases and should
|
||
be done with good ventilation.
|
||
|
||
A vigorous reaction will take place with this addition. Dense white
|
||
poisonous fumes are given off. As time lapses, the density of these fumes
|
||
will diminish. The reaction will subside in 20-25 minutes. When the foaming
|
||
reaction ceases, pour this solution into 200 ml water. The white crystals
|
||
are then allowed to settle and the clear liquid on top poured off. Add 0.25
|
||
gram tapioca starch to the white crystals and filter the solution. The
|
||
crystals filtered out through a paper towel or drip coffee filter. They are
|
||
then washed with 30 cc ethanol. These crystals are then used in an area
|
||
away from sunlight.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: This white powder is extremely flame, friction and light
|
||
sensitive. Friction and impacts should be avoided and the material should
|
||
be expected to explode at any time. Again this explosive is dangerous even
|
||
for someone with much laboratory experience. This composition should be
|
||
avoided and it's manufacture undertaken only as a last resort.
|
||
|
||
NITROMANNITE (Mannite hexanitrate)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 7000m/sec. @1.50 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - As sensitive as nitroglycerin. The sensitivity is
|
||
greater when between two hard surfaces.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Will deflagrate under some conditions but local over-
|
||
heating from a match will cause detonation.
|
||
|
||
Mannite is a simple sugar. It finds wide use as a baby laxative, in
|
||
artificial resins and as a pharmaceutical dilutant. It can, through
|
||
nitration, become a superb base charge for blasting caps. This explosive is
|
||
attractive because of it's power and performance characteristics. It has a
|
||
high detonation rate, good brisance and initiation properties. It has
|
||
several bad points. It requires concentrated acid (90%+) which is harder to
|
||
prepare. It has elevated temperature storage problems with greatly
|
||
increased sensitivity. This instability is brought on by storage at 75
|
||
degrees C. for two days. The mixture of tetracene and nitromannite (40/60)
|
||
will give a powerful brisant primary explosive that detonates from
|
||
moderate heat. Nitromannite is usually used straight as a base charge for
|
||
blasting caps with 0.75 gram charge weights giving 100% reliability.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
One hundred grams of nitric acid (Specific Gravity 1.51 G/cc) is
|
||
placed in a quart jar or 800-1000 ml beaker. This is cooled by surrounding
|
||
with a salted ice bath. 20.2 G. mannite is added in very small portions
|
||
with gentle stirring. The temperature should be kept below 0 degrees C.
|
||
This is done by controlling the amount of time between the additions of the
|
||
mannite. When the temperature approaches 0 degrees C. stop additions until
|
||
the temperature has fallen some. After all the mannite has be added 200 G.
|
||
98% sulfuric acid is added dropwise to the solution. This is done while the
|
||
mixture is stirred and with the temperature below 0 degrees C, temperature
|
||
is again maintained by the speed of the addition. When the temperature
|
||
rises close to 0 degrees stop the addition and allow the liquid reaction
|
||
mass to cool before addition is resumed. Completing the addition of
|
||
sulfuric acid the porridge-like mixture is stirred for 5 minutes and then
|
||
filtered. This filtering can be done through hardened filter paper or 10
|
||
drip coffee filters (simultaneously). This product is washed with water and
|
||
then washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate/water solution. Then the crystals
|
||
are washed again with water. This crude product is then dissolved in
|
||
boiling alcohol with as much dissolved as possible. Place this container in
|
||
a refrigerator and when chilled filter through one drip coffee filter. The
|
||
liquid remaining is reheated and water is added until a turbidity is seen
|
||
(churning of the solution). Allow to cool and filter the crystals out of
|
||
this solution. Completely dry the material and it is ready to use. Could be
|
||
kept under water for safety until ready to use.
|
||
|
||
R.D.X. (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 5830 M/sec. @1.00 G/cc
|
||
8360 M/sec. @1.67 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Slightly less sensitive than T.N.T. but with 180%
|
||
the actual power. Particle size reduction should be
|
||
done while wet.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Burns with a yellow flame. Very seldom if ever
|
||
transforms into detonation.
|
||
|
||
R.D.X. is a powerful explosive. It is very stable and has good
|
||
storage properties. It is widely used commercially as a base explosive
|
||
charge in detonators and blasting caps. One gram of R.D.X. in a cap with a
|
||
primary charge will detonate anything a #8 cap will detonate. For the
|
||
process to make R.D.X. from camp stove fuel - see chapter 2 in "Kitchen
|
||
Improvised Plastic Explosives" This process while not simple will produce a
|
||
good product. This is a superb explosive and can find many uses. P.E.T.N.
|
||
is the only explosive that really is close to being as good a base charge
|
||
explosive as R.D.X. In "Kitchen Improvised Plastic Explosives II" there is
|
||
a new process to manufacture R.D.X. Below is a process for extracting this
|
||
explosive powder from "C-4" plastique explosive. The product will be as
|
||
good as any for base charge use. C-4 could also be used as a base charge as
|
||
is!
|
||
|
||
EXTRACTION - Take a 1/2 pound block of C-4 and place in a container
|
||
impervious to gasoline. Add one liter of gasoline. Let this gasoline soak
|
||
the block until the plasticizers are dissolved (just a powder is settled on
|
||
the bottom of container) and filter the gasoline. Save the powder and
|
||
discard the gasoline filtrate. Let this powder dry until it is free
|
||
of gasoline. This should yield 206 grams of R.D.X.. This powder is ready to
|
||
use as a base charge in a improvised blasting cap.
|
||
|
||
PETN (Pentaerythrite Tetranitrate)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 5830 M/sec. @ 1.09 G/cc.
|
||
7490 M/sec. @ 1.51 G/cc.
|
||
8300 M/sec. @ 1.77 G/cc.
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Sensitive to friction between two hard surfaces
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Burns quietly after melting with a slightly luminous
|
||
flame.
|
||
|
||
PETN is a powerful explosive. It's power is slightly greater than
|
||
R.D.X. and it is slightly more sensitive to initiation. It is powerful,
|
||
stable, safe and efficient for the manufacture of improvised blasting caps.
|
||
PETN is found, in it's common form, as the filler in detonating cord
|
||
(E-cord etc.). If a person had access to this detonating cord he could
|
||
salvage the PETN out of the cord by splitting it and simply scraping out
|
||
the filler with a pocket knife or similar tool. The larger primer cord
|
||
could yield as much as 1.7 lb. (771 grams) of the powder per hundred feet
|
||
of cord. If access was available this method would be much better and
|
||
easier than actual manufacture. This manufacture requires the acquisition
|
||
of fuming nitric acid. This can be bought or made. For manufacture see
|
||
chapter 2 of "Kitchen Improvised Plastic Explosives" Then the
|
||
pentaerythrite must be obtained. It is available and is used in the paint
|
||
and varnish industries as well as in the manufacture of synthetic resins.
|
||
It is cheap, but could raise a few questions in it's acquisition. Sulfuric
|
||
acid is available from cleaning supply houses and as some generic drain
|
||
openers. This is one of the best choices for cap base charge explosives. It
|
||
has great power and will, in a properly constructed cap, give super
|
||
reliable detonation initiation.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE-
|
||
|
||
In a quartjar or a 1000 ml beaker place 400 ml 99% strong white
|
||
nitric acid. This acid can be bought from a laboratory supply or the fuming
|
||
red acid produced in process in "Kitchen Improvised Plastic Explosives".
|
||
This fuming red acid will need to have the excess nitrogen dioxide purged
|
||
until it is clear. This is done by adding 2-3 grams urea (45-0-0 fertilizer
|
||
will work) to the acid. The mixture should clear up and loose the red tint.
|
||
If not, warm the acid in the beaker and bubble dry air through the mixture.
|
||
With the clear, white acid in the beaker place this beaker in a salted ice
|
||
bath. Let it cool to below 0 degrees C.. Add with stirring 100 grams of
|
||
pentaerythrite in small portions to the acid. The addition is done as such
|
||
a speed that the temperature of the solution does not rise to more than 5
|
||
degrees C. When the addition is complete stir the acid/pentaerythrite
|
||
solution for 15 more minutes. The crystals of the product will probably
|
||
already have formed somewhat in the liquid.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: At this point the crystals are a high explosive and should be
|
||
treated with respect.
|
||
|
||
This solution is then poured into a previously prepared gallonjar
|
||
with 2 1/2 quarts of cracked ice and water. PETN will immediately form and
|
||
should be filtered out of the solution through a paper towel or drip coffee
|
||
filters. This should yield 220 grams. This product needs purification. Wash
|
||
these crystals 3 times with water and then wash 1 time with a 5% sodium
|
||
bicarbonate solution. Wash once more with water and then dissolve the
|
||
crystals in hot acetone. Let this cool and the crystals will begin to fall
|
||
out of solution. Add an equal volume of water to the acetone and the
|
||
crystals will fall out of solution. Filter these crystals out and wash with
|
||
methanol and let them dry. This PETN can be dried by either simply air
|
||
drying for 24 hours or by drying in a hot water bath. These dried crystals
|
||
are ready to use.
|
||
|
||
PICRIC ACID (trinitrophenol)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 4965 M/sec. @0.97 G/cc
|
||
6510 M/sec. @1.4 G/cc
|
||
7480 M/sec. @1.7 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - More sensitive than T.N.T. but not substantially.
|
||
Metals should be coated to ensure the formation of
|
||
picrate salts. Coating copper tubing or rifle cases
|
||
with urethane plastic spray could prevent this form
|
||
happening.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Small quantities burn with a sooty flame after melting.
|
||
Large quantities can transform the deflagration into
|
||
detonation in some rare instances.
|
||
|
||
Picric acid is a good choice of explosive base charges in caps.
|
||
Relative performance would be 120% (T.N.T.=100%). Nitrophenols have been
|
||
with us for a while. Their creation from nitric acid and animal horn was
|
||
the first of these discoveries. Nearly 100 years passed before researchers
|
||
found out it could be made to explode. It is this relative insensitivity of
|
||
the material and it's good primary sensitivity yield many used for this
|
||
explosive. It is very stable in storage with samples from late 1800's
|
||
showing little signs of deterioration. The only reason that we do not use
|
||
PA as an explosive in modern ordinance is mostly from a cost standpoint. PA
|
||
can be reacted with ammonium hydroxide to form "Explosive D". This is a
|
||
superb shaped charge explosive and does find some demolition and
|
||
specialized munition loading. Brisance is very high for picric acid and it
|
||
will detonate easily from the primary explosives in the primary section of
|
||
the publication. Picric acid is poisonous and all contact should be
|
||
avoided. This process uses the phenol byproduct used everyday as an
|
||
analgesic. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) in it's purified form, sulfuric
|
||
acid (98%) and sodium or potassium nitrate are the ingredients. Aspirin is
|
||
available in any drug store or supermarket. Sulfuric acid is available at
|
||
janitorial supply houses and plumbing suppliers. Battery acid that has been
|
||
boiled until white fumes appear will also work. Sodium or potassium nitrate
|
||
should be available from hobby stores and as stump remover in garden
|
||
stores. The methanol carrier can be found at hardware stores and from
|
||
janitorial supplies. Caution should be used in handling the product of the
|
||
process below. Contact should be avoided. Contact includes breathing dust
|
||
and exposure of the skin or any other part of the body. Liver and kidney
|
||
failure could result. Use gloves and retire any utensil that will be used
|
||
in the process.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
Crush 100 aspirin tablets. Powder these crushed aspirin tablets. To
|
||
them add 500 ml alcohol (95%) This alcohol will dissolve the
|
||
acetylsalicylic acid in the aspirin and leave all the pill fillers in solid
|
||
form in the bottom. Stir this aspirin/alcohol liquid for five minutes
|
||
while warming it gently. Filter the warm liquid and keep the filtrate
|
||
(liquid) and discard the remainder. Evaporate this liquid in a shallow pan
|
||
in a hot water or oil bath. Collect the dried acetylsalicylic acid
|
||
crystals. Place 700 ml sulfuric acid in the bottom of a gallonjar. To this
|
||
acid is added the acetylsalicylic acid crystals from above. This gallonjar
|
||
is placed in an oil bath (electric frying pan would be easiest but flame
|
||
heat will work). This is heated with stirring until all the crystals are
|
||
dissolved in the hot acid. The crystals having dissolved will allow you to
|
||
begin the addition of sodium or potassium nitrate. This addition is done in
|
||
three portions, allowing the acid mixture to cool some between additions.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: The addition of the nitrate to the hot acid will generate nitrogen
|
||
dioxide which is a deadly poison. This step should be carried out
|
||
with excellent ventilation!
|
||
|
||
This liquid will react vigorously, as the 75 grams of either of the
|
||
nitrates are added to the solution in this three part addition. The
|
||
solution should turn red and then back to the yellow-orange color. After
|
||
the additions let the solution cool to room temperature while stirring
|
||
occasionally. Pour this room temperature solution into 1500 ml of cracked
|
||
ice and water (1/4 ice). The product will precipitate out immediately as a
|
||
brilliant yellow compound. Filter through a paper towel or 5 drip coffee
|
||
filters in a funnel. Wash these crystals with 450 ml cold water. Discard
|
||
the filtrate (liquid remaining after filtering). The yellow crystals are
|
||
trinitrophenol. These crystals need to be dried for 3 hours on a boiling
|
||
water bath or on a 1O5 degree C. oil bath. They are then ready to load into
|
||
a detonator as a base explosive. Avoid contact with the yellow composition
|
||
as it is highly poisonous. Wear gloves (viton) when working with this
|
||
explosive.
|
||
|
||
M.M.A.N. (Monomethylamine nitrate)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 6100 M/sec. @ 1.2 G/cc
|
||
6600 M/sec. @ 1.4 G / cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Very insensitive. Similar to T.N.T..
|
||
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Burns if heated to 370-390 degrees C. and will burn
|
||
completely in 6-8 seconds.
|
||
|
||
|
||
M.M.A.N. is a powerful explosive with 112-120% the power of T.N.T.
|
||
with a greater detonation rate. This explosive is not as sensitive as
|
||
others in this publication to primary explosive requiring 2 G. mercury
|
||
fulminate or 1.25 grams of H.M.T.D. Methylamine is a basic building block
|
||
of modern chemistry. It is an intermediary for hundreds of more common
|
||
chemicals. It is easily obtained or purchased cheaply. Nitric acid does not
|
||
require highly concentrations with as low as 20% acid strength working
|
||
perfectly. This is a good feature as requirements for explosives made with
|
||
concentrated acids take time to produce and cannot be produced as fast or
|
||
cheaply. This explosive is simple enough that it would require little
|
||
experience and few setups in a lab. This explosive is very hygroscopic. It
|
||
will absorb its weight in water at a relative humidity of 50% in 21 days.
|
||
The other drawback of this explosive is the fact that it requires larger
|
||
quantities of primary explosive as other base explosives. Both are
|
||
acceptable and the hygroscopic nature of the salt can be controlled by
|
||
loading caps on "dry days" of low humidity. These caps should also be
|
||
dipped into molten wax to ensure their "waterproofness". This explosive is
|
||
best used in a cap made with 3/8" tubing because 5 grams of this explosive
|
||
are required. This will give a detonator 3/8" x 2-3/4". This cap should
|
||
have the primary loaded first as the base explosive does not need the high
|
||
density that the primary needs for maximum performance. Load this base
|
||
charge explosive to a density of 1.2 G/cc. Higher densities will cause the
|
||
explosive to become insensitive to the primary explosive. This cap should
|
||
detonate most explosives and will be a great deal more powerful than a #10
|
||
blasting cap.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE - Place 250 ml of 33% methylamine aqueous solution in a
|
||
stainless bowl or beaker. Add in four portions either 832 G. 70% nitric
|
||
acid, 971 G. 60% nitric acid or 583 G.100% nitric acid + 250 ml water. A
|
||
good deal of heat will be generated by this neutralization. The solution
|
||
will boil due to the heat. Allow the heat from the previous additions to
|
||
subside before the next addition is made. After the additions have been
|
||
made check the solution with PH paper (e. mark brand) from your lab supply
|
||
store. If the PH is above 7 add acid 1/4 teaspoon at a time until the PH
|
||
is between 6 and 7. If when checked the PH is 6 or below then add
|
||
methylamine solution until the PH rises to between 6 and 7. This liquid is
|
||
then put in a vacuum flask with a stopper. This will be placed in a hot oil
|
||
bath (frying pan filled with good cooking oil). The oil bath should be 75
|
||
degrees C. (167 degrees F.). The flask is hooked up to a vacuum source and
|
||
the vacuum applied. The vacuum will allow the waters removal in a much
|
||
quicker amount of time. The vacuum source can be an aspirator type (cost
|
||
around $5.00). This is the ideal source of vacuum. A gauge is placed in the
|
||
line and the vacuum drawn at first recorded. This vacuum will remain the
|
||
same until the water is all evaporated. At this point the vacuum suddenly
|
||
will increase greatly. This signifies the end point. The crystals in the
|
||
flask are scraped out in a dry (atmospheric humidity) room. This is placed
|
||
in a sealed container to keep moisture our of the solutions. This is the
|
||
explosive. It could be toxic if eaten in large quantities but at worst,
|
||
prolonged handling of this explosive will give only a rash. The only thing
|
||
to remember is to keep away from moisture and keep in a sealed container.
|
||
Load large 3/8" diameter caps with 4-6 grams of MMAN as a base charge with
|
||
large charges of primary explosives. Seal the caps immediately by dipping
|
||
in hot molten wax. These caps are powerful and will take most of a forearm
|
||
off a foolish person.
|
||
|
||
TETRYL (2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 7260 M/sec. @ 1.6 G/cc
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Comparable to T.N.T.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Burns slowly very rarely exploding.
|
||
|
||
This is one of the better base charge explosives. This is still
|
||
used in the military but R.D.X. and P.E.T.N. are replacing it. Generating
|
||
4.4 million P.S.I. upon detonation this is a good choice. The corrosiveness
|
||
of the salt to brass limits it's use to copper tubing caps manufacture. It
|
||
also is not made of the most common ingredients but these could be found if
|
||
the desire was great enough. Very sensitive to primary explosives but not
|
||
sensitive to normal handling. More powerful than picric acid. Could be an
|
||
interesting possibility for improvised blasting caps.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE-
|
||
|
||
Sixty grams of dimethylaniline is dissolved in 850 grams sulfuric
|
||
acid (janitorial supply) in a quart jar or 600 ml beaker in cool water
|
||
bath. The temperature of the liquid during this addition should be kept
|
||
below 25 degrees C. This liquid (solution # 1) is added by pouring into a
|
||
separatory funnel or similar container equipped with a valve. This is done
|
||
so solution #1 can be metered out drop by drop. Solution #1 can be metered
|
||
out drop by drop. Solution # 1 is added drop by drop into 515 grams of 70%
|
||
nitric acid in a two liter beaker or pyrex equivalent heated in an oil bath
|
||
to 55 to 60 degrees C. Solution #2 is stirred vigorously, while the
|
||
temperature is kept at 65 to 70 degrees C.. This addition will require
|
||
approximately one hour. After all solution #1 has been added to solution
|
||
#2, the stirring is continued and the temperature is kept at between 65 and
|
||
70 degrees C. for an hour longer. The solution is allowed to cool and then
|
||
filtered with an asbestos filter or fiberglass filter. The solid material
|
||
is boiled with water for one hour and filtered again on a paper filter.
|
||
Water will need to be added from time to time to keep the water level
|
||
constant. This is then ground while wet and dissolved in benzene
|
||
(industrial solvent) and the solution filtered. The filtrate (liquid) is
|
||
saved and the liquid allowed to evaporate. The resulting crystals are
|
||
tetryl and will be yellow in color. These crystals should be of sufficient
|
||
quality and particle size.
|
||
|
||
[Yes, the author does not specify solution #2 anywhere... and we probably
|
||
know by now that solution #1 can be metered out drop by drop :) ]
|
||
|
||
TETRANITRONAPTHALENE (TeNN)
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 7000 M/sec. @ 1.6 G/cc (In 1/4" aluminum Tube)
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Similar to T.N.T.
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Rapid heating can cause detonations!
|
||
|
||
These yellow crystals are prepared by the nitration of napthalene
|
||
flakes in a two stage nitration. The product of the first stage is the
|
||
dinitronapthalene. This "di" product is nitrated to the "tetra". This is
|
||
done in two different nitration steps. This product can be considered the
|
||
equivalent of T.N.T. in power with a slightly greater detonation rate. This
|
||
tetra compound is stable even at elevated "magazine" temperatures and is an
|
||
explosive of greater power and brisance than T.N.T.. Has been proposed an
|
||
artillery shell filler. T.N.T. has been cheaper due to continuous
|
||
manufacture processes. It is however a powerful explosive with detonator
|
||
usage promise. It has the same impact properties as does Tetryl with the
|
||
same potential. It is easily made from napthalene, nitric acid and sulfuric
|
||
acid. These compounds are easy to come by and thus would make this a easily
|
||
manufactured product. Napthalene flakes, balls or powder are used as
|
||
insecticides and are familiarly known as "Moth balls". Sulfuric acid is
|
||
easily obtained from plumbing and janitorial supplies. Nitric acid can be
|
||
made see "Kitchen Improvised Plastic Explosives" Recovery of spent acids in
|
||
both steps will reduce acid demand and can be done by heating the spent
|
||
acid until white fumes are produced.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Care should be taken to avoid all fumes from heated acid mixtures
|
||
and that this spent acid being recovered is free of nitronapthalene
|
||
products. Failure to do this could result in a very violent explosion!
|
||
Great care should be used to ensure the lack of remaining nitro compounds
|
||
in the spent acid solutions. Caps should have a 1.5 G.+ charge of TeNN for
|
||
best performance. This explosive should be loaded to a density of 1.6 G/cc.
|
||
This explosive will melt around 200-210 C.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: This meltable explosive should be used in its crystalline form.
|
||
The melt loading should only be attempted by someone with chemistry lab
|
||
experience. Rapid heating will most likely cause a high order detonation
|
||
and fatalities! This heating would be done slowly as rapid heating could
|
||
cause detonation. This melted compound could then be cast into the
|
||
detonator case prior to loading the primary explosive. This could produce
|
||
charges that required greater amounts of primary explosive to ensure
|
||
detonation!
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE:
|
||
|
||
Tetranitronapthalene is produced by nitration of napthalene.
|
||
Napthalene is a coal tar or synthetic petrochemical. It is readily
|
||
available in the form of moth balls, moth flakes or moth crystals. Place 64
|
||
grams in a 2 liter beaker of "pyrex"container. 'To this add 105 cc
|
||
distilled water. Slowly add 287 grams (160 cc) concentrated sulfuric acid
|
||
of a concentration of greater than 90% strength (Specific gravity 1.8).
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: Addition should always be acid to water and never water to acid. The
|
||
acids used in this process are very dangerous and should be used with great
|
||
care. Goggles and full protective gear should be worn. Fumes produced should
|
||
be avoided at all costs. This whole process should be done under a vent
|
||
hood or in a very well ventilated place!
|
||
|
||
The temperature of this acid mixture will rise immediately. To this
|
||
is added 115 grams (81 cc) of 70% nitric acid. This mixed acid is allowed
|
||
to cook to room temperature. 150 grams of napthalene is added slowly with
|
||
stirring in small portions over a three hour period while the temperature
|
||
is allowed to rise to 50 degrees C. When all the napthalene is added, the
|
||
beaker or "Pyrex" container is heated to 55 degrees in a oil bath, which
|
||
melts the crude mononitronapthalene. The stirring is then stopped and the
|
||
MNN allowed to solidify. This solid MNN is broken up off the top and placed
|
||
in a second acid mixture. This acid mixture is prepared by placing 130 cc
|
||
water in a 1000 cc beaker or "Pyrex"container. To it is slowly, carefully
|
||
added 293 G. sulfuric acid (162 ml) density 1.8 G/ cc. (95% +). This
|
||
mixture will heat up when mixed and should be cooled to 25 degrees C. by
|
||
placing in an ice bath. When the acid mixture is at 25 degrees 152 grams of
|
||
potassium nitrate is added. The mixture is stirred vigorously and the
|
||
addition of the MNN from above is begun. It is added in small quantities
|
||
keeping the temperature between 38-45 degrees C. by the speed of the
|
||
addition. During this addition (1 hour +), the temperature is not allowed
|
||
to rise to over 45 degrees C. After one hour, the temperature is allowed
|
||
to rise to 55 degrees C. and the stirring is continued. This is continued
|
||
until the emulsion is replaced by the formation of DNN crystals. These
|
||
crystals are then filtered out by a glass fiber filter (fiberglass). These
|
||
crystals are washed six times with cold water and allowed to dry. These are
|
||
then dissolved in boiling acetone. Not all will dissolve. Filter this
|
||
solution while hot and allow to cool. Chill this solution and crystals will
|
||
form. Filter out the crystals that form. Reduce the volume of the acetone by
|
||
1/2 and chill again and filter. Add the crystals together from these
|
||
acetone recrystallization steps and allow to dry. These crystals will be a
|
||
good grade of 1.8 Dinitrotapthalene. These crystals will be nitrated, in
|
||
the process below, to the tetro form.
|
||
|
||
Place 750 ml fuming nitric acid, of90% or greater strength (See
|
||
Kitchen Improvised Plastic Explosives), in a two liter "pyrex" container or
|
||
a 2000 ml beaker. Add to this very slowly and carefully 750 ml concentrated
|
||
sulfuric acid. This acid mixture is stirred and cooled in a ice bath until
|
||
the temperature drops below 20 degrees C. The 1.8, DNN from above is added
|
||
in small quantities while the temperature is not allowed to rise above 20
|
||
degrees C. When all the DNN has been added, the temperature is allowed to
|
||
rise slowly. Heat will need to be applied. This heating should be done such
|
||
that the temperature rises from 20 to 80 degrees C. for three hours and
|
||
then allowed to cool. The solid formed is filtered out and the filtrate
|
||
(liquid remaining after filtering) drowned in twice it's volume of ice
|
||
water. This step will drop more crystals out of the filtrate. These are
|
||
filtered out and added to the crystals filtered out of the reaction
|
||
mixture. These are then washed three times with water and then dissolved in
|
||
hot from 95% ethanol. This alcohol is chilled and then the crystals formed
|
||
are filtered out. This last step is not necessary, but highly desirable to
|
||
give a very storage stable product.
|
||
These crystals are 1,3,6,8-tetranitronapthalene. They should be
|
||
dried by heating in a shallow pyrex dish by the way of a hot water bath.
|
||
|
||
NITROGUANIDINE
|
||
|
||
|
||
DETONATION VELOCITY - 5630 M/sec. @ 1.0 G/cc.
|
||
7650 M/sec. @ 1.5 G/cc.
|
||
|
||
FRICTION SENSITIVITY - Very insensitive
|
||
|
||
BEHAVIOR TO FLAME - Melts with sublimation and decomposition.
|
||
|
||
Nitroguanidine is a powerful explosive. First made from bat guano,
|
||
by extraction and formation of guanidine nitrate and subsequent treatment
|
||
of this nitrate with sulfuric acid (95% +) and filtration of the product.
|
||
This explosive is similar in performance to picric acid and T.N.T.. While
|
||
not being quite as brisant as these two explosives the ease of manufacture
|
||
and lack of friction sensitivity make nitroguanidine an attractive choice
|
||
for a blasting cap base charge explosive. It is a cool explosive and does
|
||
not give a high temperature of detonation but gives a larger volume of
|
||
gases upon detonation. This base charge explosive, should be loaded in the
|
||
caps with the density not exceeding 1.35 G./cc. Excess loading densities
|
||
will render the base charge undetonatable with 1.5 G. charges of H.M.T.D..
|
||
This explosive will work and work well and is very storage stable. Larger
|
||
diameter cap containers (3/8" +) should be used to ensure propagation of
|
||
the detonation through the entire cap. Given below is the manufacture
|
||
techniques for production of nitroguanidine. This procedure will work well
|
||
but is rather lengthy and labor intensive.
|
||
|
||
MANUFACTURE
|
||
|
||
Obtain two clay flower pots with a small hole in their bottoms. Fitted to one of these is
|
||
stainless steel tubing. A refractory made from "firebrick" and fired by charcoal should
|
||
be built. The flower pots will need to fit into this refractory and have ample room
|
||
around them to pack the charcoal. An air blower (e.g. hairdryer, vacuum cleaner is
|
||
hooked up to blow air through the coal to generate the heat needed. In the bottom
|
||
flower-pot, a stainless steel screen will be needed to keep from clogging the stainless
|
||
steel tubing from the ammonia inlet tube. Place 200 grams of calcium carbonate
|
||
(Limestone, chalk) in the bottom flower pot, with the stainless tubing attached. Place
|
||
the other flowerpot upside down directly on top of the bottom pot. Place this in the
|
||
refractory furnace and place a pyrometer or high temperature thermometer into the
|
||
hole in the top clay flower pot. Start the furnace and blow air through the burning
|
||
charcoal until the temperature inside the pots reaches 700 degrees C.. At this time
|
||
begin to pass ammonia gas through the stainless tubing into the lime inside. The
|
||
temperature should never go over 820 degrees C. as the lime will decompose. The
|
||
ammonia generator the gas generator in the TACC section. The amounts needed in the
|
||
generator are 170 G. ammonium nitrate fertilizer, 100 G. sodium hydroxide and
|
||
adding 100 ml water to the mixture. This water addition would be done in small
|
||
portions to ensure the absorption of the gas by the calcium carbonate. This gas needs
|
||
to be generated slowly! When all the ammonium nitrate has been added and the gas
|
||
ceases to generate from the generator deprive the charcoal of oxygen to extinguish the
|
||
flame. Let the refractory furnace cool and remove the flowerpots from it. The black
|
||
material in the bottom is calcium cyanamide.
|
||
|
||
Place 216 grams of urea in a stainless steel pan. Heat until it
|
||
begins to melt. Add in small portions 1300 grams ammonium nitrate.
|
||
|
||
CAUTION: This is dangerous and extreme care should be used in this step.
|
||
This mixture could explode if allowed to burn. Water should be
|
||
used if a fire does break out by immediate dilution and quenching
|
||
of the reaction mixture!!
|
||
|
||
Keep the temperature of the melt at 120 degrees centigrade. When
|
||
the addition of the ammonium nitrate is complete and the mixture is liquid
|
||
and at 120 degrees C. the calcium cyanamide from above is added in portions
|
||
over a twenty minute period. This mixtures temperature is held at 120
|
||
degrees C. for two hours and then diluted with 720 ml water. This liquid is
|
||
heated to 95 degrees C. and then filtered through several coffee filters or
|
||
a "fast" filter paper. The liquid thus obtained is allowed to cool to 25
|
||
degrees C. and then the crystals formed are filtered out. The liquid is
|
||
reduced to 1/2 its volume by boiling. It is cooled and filtered and the
|
||
crystals obtained are added to those from the first filtration. These
|
||
crystals are washed with 40 ml cold water. They are then dried in a shallow
|
||
pyrex dish while heated in a hot oil bath at 110 degrees C. for two hours.
|
||
These crystals are guanidine nitrate (90% purity).
|
||
|
||
Immerse a one liter flask, containing 500 ml. concentrated sulfuric
|
||
acid, in cracked ice. This acid is stirred until the temperature drops to
|
||
10 degrees C. or less. In small portions, add 400 grams of dry guanidine
|
||
nitrate to the acid with stirring to keep the temperature below 11 degrees
|
||
C.. When all the guanidine nitrate is dissolved, pour the now milky liquid
|
||
into three liters of cracked ice and water. Let this stand until the
|
||
nitroguanidine is completely crystallized out of the liquid. Filter these
|
||
crystals out and dissolve in four liters of boiling water (distilled if
|
||
possible). Allow to cool by standing overnight and filter the crystals out.
|
||
Dry these crystals by heating gently in a container placed in a pan of
|
||
boiling water. This dried material is then ready to store in a plastic
|
||
container or to load into finished caps.
|
||
|
||
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|