DEVELOPMENT OF EXPLOSIVES AND INITIATORS FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Abstract
Initiator development has been directed toward determining the range of conditions over which a satisfactory initiator can be made from litharge and picric acid. The optimum ratio of picric acid to litharge, optimum mixing procedure, drying time, and minimum quantity sufficient to detonate picric acid have been established. Development of satisfactory improvised high explosives has centered around attempts to nitrate readily available materials, using common and relatively easy to handle acids. Considering the conditions under which nitration might have to be done in the field, this approach has met with limited success. Reaction of corn starch, sugar, ethylene glycol base anti-freeze or sawdust with battery acid and ammonium nitrate resulted in oxidation rather than nitration. A highly explosive liquid glycol nitrate was obtained from Zerex anti-freeze and (a) 95% nitric acid, or a mixture of ammonium nitrate and battery acid boiled to 2/3 its orig inal volume, the former with ice and the latter with cold tap water cooling.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0410390
Entities
People
- Theodore B. Johnson