Now that the formalities are over with let's get into the good stuff, so
first off let's actually find out what the definition of explosives is. A
explosive is a substance or device capable of producing a volume of rapidly
expanding gas that exerts sudden pressure on it's surroundings. Basically there are two types of explosives.
(1) Detonating or High Explosives
(2) Deflagrating or Low Explosives
The difference here is that detonating explosives like TNT and Dynamite are characterized by rapid decomposition and high pressure, wheras deflagrating
explosives lik black powder merely burn rapidly and create low pressures.
However as we all know black powder under certain conditions will detonate for example if we pack it into a enclosed area such as a pipe or Co2 cannister.
Now the detonating explosives are divided into two types primary and secondary. Primary explosives detonate by ignition i.e. a flame, spark, impact, or other means of heat. Secondary explosives require a detonator and occassionally a secondary booster. Now those are the basics, which should be remembered and marked, as those terms will come back to haunt you.
Inventor is most likely unknown, as it most likely blew him to bits.
Nevertheless Ascanio Sobrero is credited for it's finding in 1846. Alfred
Nobel worked extensively with it, and sold his american holdings in Nitro
for $20,000 in 1885. Obviously he was screwed good and hard by american
know how.
How the Explosion Occurs
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Ch2Ono2
3/2 N2 + 3 Co2
Chono2 -=-=-=-=-=-> +
ignition 5/2 H20+ 1/4 02
This is how nitro explodes, and you chemistry majors will notice that the
bi-products are Nitrogen, Water, and Carbon Dioxide.
Materials
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The materials are not listed on this one as it is quite dangerous, and I want
everyone to read through it a few times before attempting anything.
Procedure
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Mix 100 parts fuming nitric acid (note: this should have a specific
gravity of 50 degrees Baume for best results) with 200 parts Sulphuric Acid.
The Nitric acid should be poured into the sulphuric acid, and not the other way around as it will splatter. This will be hot, so let it cool down, and when its cool add 38 parts glycerine as SLOWLY as possible. The glycerine should be allowed to trickle down the sides of the container, and don't drip it straight into the container.(note: if glycerin is added too fast then the stuff will ignite, and you will be eligible for the wheelchair olympics) Next stir with a *GLASS* rod for 15 seconds so very carefully. Now pour it into 20 times it's *VOLUME* of water. It will then visibly precipitate immediatly. Now there will be twice as much Nitro as you used glycerin, and it's easy to separate. Next mix it with baking soda immidiatly after it's separated to keep it from going off spontaneously.
Special Notes - The parts are by weight and the Baume scale of specific
gravity, which can be found in most chemistry books. You can get fuming
Nitric and Sulphuric acids at chemical supply warehouses or fertilizer stores.
Don't make more than 100 grams at a time ever, and always wear some sort of
body and eye protection. Glycerin can be obtained at any pharmacy or medical
supply co. Also after it is washed with the baking soda it is not that stable, and a abrupt bump or sharp movement can take off your hands. Also note that nitroglycerin is much safer to handle frozen, and it freezes at 52 degrees farenheit or 11 degrees celcius. Therefore it can easily be frozen in ice.
Ignition
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Well this one is easy drop it or throw something at it. Also please
remember that a loud fart could set this stuff off so please please be
This was invented by Alfred Nobel in 1867. The first and easiest form
to make is dynamite no.1, which is 75% nitroglycerin and 25% guhr. Guhr is
from kieselguhr a silicous porous earth. This was used as it absorbed large
quantities of nitroglycerin. It is no longer used as the guhr draws some
power from the explosion. Now the term "dope" is applied to the inert
ingridients of dynamite, so 30% straight dynamite would be 70% dope. Get it?
A better dope for dynamite is wood pulp and sodium nitrate as an oxidizer.
That in a 40% straight dynamite ratio works excellently as an explosive.
Materials
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Nitrolglycerin
Wood Pulp
Procedure
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Is this simpler than you thought or what? Well just mix in 60 percent
wood pulp with 40% Nitroglycerin, and your done. This mixture should be
done with care, and just let the wood pulp absorb the nitroglycerin.
Note: There are many variations to this formula as cotton would work in
place of wood pulp etc... Almost anything that will absorb the
nitro will work, and it is best to experiment with.
Industrial Dynamite No. 2
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68% Ammonium Nitrate
20% Sodium Chloride
10% TNT
2% Powdered Bark
This is the scale to follow for the making of a more modern dynamite, and this is the ratio commonly used in industry. This is because around 1885 it was
found safer to use ammonium nitrate in place of nitro for obvious reasons.
This formula can be made in dry powdered form as the gelatin synthesis pretty
much requires a lab. If anyone has access to a lab leave me mail and I will
help you with any problems you might have. Also note that TNT is
trinitrotoluene, and the above ratios for this formula are by weight not
looks, but like gunpowder experiment and variate. Also when making this
formula follow the same procedures as you did with the gunpowder except for
