13-1
Section 13. PRIMARY HIGH EXPLOSIVES
MERCURY FULMINATE
Description: Mercury fulminate is an initiating explosive, commonly appearing as white or gray crystals. It is extremely sensitive to initiation by heat, friction, spark or flame, and impact. It detonates when initiated by any of these means. It is pressed into containers, usually at 3000 psi, for use in detonators and blasting caps. However, when com¬pressed at greater and greater pressure (up to 30,000 psi), it becomes “dead pressed.” In this condition, it can only be exploded by another initial detonating agent. Mercury fulminate gradually becomes inert when stored continuously above 100° F. A dark-colored product of deterioration gives evidence of this effect. Mercury fulminate is stored underwater execpt when there is danger of freezing. Then it is stored under a mixture of water and alcohol. Comments: This material was tested. It is effective.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 59.
TM 9-1910, Military Explosives, page 98.
LEAD STYPHNATE
Description: Lead styphnate is an initiating explosive, commonly ap¬pearing in the form of orange or brown crystals. It is easily ignited by heat and static discharge but cannot be used to initiate secondary high explosives reliably. Lead styphnate is used as an igniting charge for lead azide and as an ingredient in priming mixtures for small arms ammuni¬tion. In these applications, it is usually mixed with other materials first and then pressed into a metallic container (detonators and primers). Lead styphnate is stored under water except when there is clanger of freezing. Then it is stored under a mixture of water and alcohol.
Comments: This item was tested. It is effective.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 59.
TM 9-1910, Military Explosives, page 107.
LEAD AZIDE
Description: Lead azide is an initiating explosive and is produced as a white to buff crystalline substance. It is a more efficient detonating agent than mercury fulminate and it does not decompose on long con¬tinued storage at moderately elevated temperatures. It is sensitive to both flame and impact but requires a layer of lead styphnate priming mixture to produce reliable initiation when it is used in detonators that are initiated by a firing pin or electrical energy. It is generally loaded into aluminum detonator housings and must not be loaded into housing of copper or brass because extremely sensitive copper azide can be formed in the presence of moisture.
Section 14. SECONDARY HIGH EXPLOSIVES
TNT 14-1
Description: TNT (Trinitrotoluene) is produced from toluene, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid. It is a powerful high explosive. It is well suited for steel cutting, concrete breaching, general demolition, and for under¬water demolition. It is a stable explosive and is relatively insensitive to shock. It may be detonated with a blasting cap or by primacord. TNT is issued in 1-pound and Vj-pound containers and 50-pounds to a wooden box.
Comments: This material was tested. It is effective. TNT is toxic and its dust should not be inhaled or allowed to contact the skin.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 263.
FM 5-25, Explosives and Demolitions, page 3.
NITROSTARCH 14-2
Description: Nitrostarch is composed of starch nitrate, barium nitrate, and sodium nitrate. It is more sensitive to flame, friction, and impact than TNT but is less powerful. It is initiated by detonating cord. Nitrostarcn is issued in 1-pound and Impound blocks. The 1-pound packages can be broken into Vi-pound blocks. Fifty 1-pound packages and one hundred Impound packages are packed in boxes.
Comments: This material was tested. It is effective.
Reference: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 263.
TETRYL 14-3
Description: Tetryl is a fine, yellow, crystalline material and exhibits a very high shattering power. It is commonly used as a booster in explosive.
Comments: This material was tested. It is effective.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 265.
FM 5-25, Explosives and Demolitions, page 8.