Running Head Chemistry Of Powder And Explosives 1

Chemistry Of Powder And Explosives

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Chemistry Of Powder And Explosives 2

Chemistry Of Powder And Explosives
Introduction
An explosive can be defined as a chemical compound that can be ignited by friction, heat,
shock or impact when detonated to release rapid heat and pressurised gas. The energy released by
the gases causes rock displacement, rock fragmentation, ground vibration and massive air blast.
Thexplosivs theory states that detonation usually produces a high-velocity vibration and shock
waves which in turn causes cracks in rocks. The common properties of explosives include: they
are exothermic, spontaneous, produces heat and once initiated, they sustain the process on their
own. Explosives are referred as energetic materials used to be known as black powder or gun
powder (Thompson, 1940). At the onset of development of explosives, black powder was used in
mines, drilling boreholes, propellants, military explosives and guns. This research will examine
briefly the chemistry behind explosives.
Background and theoritical framework
The contents of explosives are classified as:
Explosive-bases- This is a liquid or solid compound that breaks down rapidly into gaseous products
and heat energy upon application of shock or heat.An example of such a compound is
Nitroglycerine(Burtsell, 1943)..
Combustibles These are compounds that combine with vast excess of oxygen to attain an oxygen
balance and inhibit the formation of toxic nitrous oxide fumes and lower heat (Thompson, 1940).
Oxygen carriers the oxygen carriers ensure that there is complete carbon oxidation in the
explosion thereby minimizing the formation of carbon monoxide. The oxygen carriers prevent the
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lowering of exploding temperature that means there will be a low efficient blasting (Burtsell,
1943).
Antacids they are usually added to the explosive to increase the long-term storage life and
lower acidity of the explosive base, especially nitroglycerin.
Absorbents - Absorbents are usually applied in a dynamite to retain an explosive base and prevent
it from seepage, exudation, as well as settlement at the cartridge bottom. Examples o substances
used as absorbents include; rice, shells, sawdust, hulls, wood and nut shells (Burtsell, 1943).
Antifreezes Antifreeze are typically used in reducing the explosive point.
Air gap sensitivity This is referred to as the degree of an explosives sensitivity from cartridges
to cartridge under test conditions. The measurements are conveyed as the air distance through
which a donor half catridge can detonate a prime receptor half-cartridge (Burtsell, 1943).
Cap Sensitivity - This the minimum amount of pressure, power or energy that is needed to
detonate an explosive.
Strength in commercial dynamites, there are two ratings of strength, Weight strength and
bulk/cartridge strength. According to Burtsell (1943), the weight strength relates products with
same weight basis whereas the cartridge strength is compared on an equal volume basis. Both
strengths are measured in percentages by use of straight nitroglycerin dynamite as the standard
(Thompson, 1940). However, with the introduction of new explosives for instance he ANFO and
slurries, the technique of receiving relevant data on strength using dynamite method failed. A
contemporary blaster has to consider the detonation pressure and gas pressure (Burtsell, 1943).
Classification of Explosives
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Propellants/low explosives. These are explosives made of combustible materials that
contain oxygen in them that undergo combustion without exploding. The combustion, however,
produces gases that yield an explosion that deliver different energy levels. An example of
propellants is smokeless powder and black powder. Energy levels produced depend on the type of
powder, slow or fast (Davis, 1941).
Primary explosives. These explosives are the initiators or detonators upon subjection to
heat or shock. The primary explosives differ in their level of sensitivity to heat and shock a trait
that reflects the amount of heat or shock released (Thompson, 1940).Examples of this explosives
include mercury fulminate, lead salts of picric acid, lead azide, tetracene and mixtures of potassium
chlorate with red phosphorus(Davis, 1941).
High explosives. The high explosives are usually detonated by the shock produced by the
primary explosives. The do not operate by burning though they are combustible.The difference
between the primary and the high explosives is that high explosives are more powerful and exert
mechanical pressure and shock to any object around it. A high explosive is a compound that has
a detonation reaction velocity of over 5000 ft/s. The reaction can be commenced by a No. 8
strength blasting cap. The high explosives comprise of:
Straight Dynamite This is a Nitroglycerin in a porous state with velocity ranges of 10,000
and 20,000 ft/second (Glasshead Television and Web, 2010). The dynamite is the most sensitive
among all commercial explosives. The weight strength is the actual percentage of nitroglycerin in
the cartridge. This explosive has excellent water resistance, poor fumes and poor cohesion.
Ammonia Dynamite Though similar to the straight Dynamite, the Ammonia Dynamite
substitutes some bits of nitroglycerin with different portions of ammonium, carbon fuels and
Chemistry Of Powder And Explosives 5

sodium nitrate (Glasshead Television and Web, 2010). Theme following are the three different
sub-categories of ammonia dynamite;
High Density: This dynamite possesses a detonation velocity of 8000-13,000 ft/ sec,
excellent water resistance, and average fumes.
Low Density: This type has detonation velocities of 7,000-11,000 ft/sec, with average
fumes and poor water resistance.
Permissible Types: This type of product have some similarities with the Low density, but
the distinction is in that they contain have cooling salts like sodium chloride. Permissible
products have good fumes and poor water resistance (Thompson, 1940).
Gelatin Dynamite This type has nitroglycerin crystalized with nitrocellulose, and
various porous filler mate-rials that are water-resistant. There exist 2 types of these products;
Straight Gelatin that possess detonation velocity of 13,000-23,000 ft per/sec and has Varying
strength rating that are usually beyond 60% with poor fume features. The Water resistance is
outstanding and material very consistent(Davis, 1941).
Ammonia or Special Gelatins - This product has the same composition with the straight
gelatin. However, the difference is that the carbonaceous fuels, ammonia and sodium nitrate
substitute nitroglycerin. The detonation velocity is 10,000-23,000 ft/sec and superb water
resistant(Davis, 1941).
Semi-gelatin Dynamite - This product combines the ammonia gelatin with ammonia
dynamite, but possess a lower strength compared to gelatin. Regardless of the low strength it has
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a splendid water resistance with Velocities of 10,000-15,000 ft/sec and good Fumes (Glasshead
Television and Web, 2010).
Propagation of Explosion
When black powder is burnt, a chemical reaction takes place in the first position which
catches fire resulting to the production of hot gases. The hot gases expands in all direction
thereby warming the next black powder portion until the temperature reaches kindling
temperatures. Then the burning fire produces more hot gases raising the temperature of the next
materials. In the confined black powder, pressure and heat increases and since the gases,
pressure and heat cannot escape, and the intensity of the combustion rapidly increases.This
pressure is what causes the explosion of primary explosives or high explosives and thereby
transmitting shock, fire or friction(Davis, 1941).
Blasting Mechanics
Detonation Shock Wave On detonation, the explosive oxidation zone continues to the
explosive column at the detonation velocity. In the front of detonation region, a shock wave or an
energy pulse is
Produced and diffused to the nearby rock.. However, any air that is between the explosive and
the rock engrosses wave energy thereby lowering its explosive influence on the rock.
Shock Wave Reflection when a shock wave gets a free face, a force that is outward-bending
released though the strength is reduced and reflected as a tension wave.
Gas Pressure and Rock Movement - on detonation, stable explosive is immediately transformed
to superheated gas that is attempts to inhabit a space that is 10000 to 20000 bigger than its
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volume causing enormous pressure. This pressure is what causes rock fracture and destroys its
interlocked structure.
Blasting Agents And Ammonium Nitrate
A blasting agent is a compound or a mixture that possess a fuel and oxidizer that is
supposed to explode though not deliberated as an explosive. The agent comprises carbonaceous
fuels and inorganic nitrates which involve ammonium nitrates and sodium nitrate. However, to
transform a blasting agent into an explosive, explosive ingredients such as TNT are usually
added in sufficient quantities(Davis, 1941).
Blasting agents cannot be detonated by use of No. 8 test blasting cap while unconfined
except when an explosive ingredient is placed into it. A No. 8 test cap comprise of 2 grams of a
combination of 80% mercury fulminate and 20% potassium chlorate(Davis, 1941).
Nitrocarbonitrate is identical with a blast-ing agent, as well as ANFO. The following are
classifications of Blasting agents: dry blasting agents, emulsions and slurry blasting agents.
Ammonium nitrate has two features that make it both unpredictable and dangerous. First,
it is very soluble in water and can even dissolve water in the atmosphere if uncoated. Secondly, is
its cycling characteristic which is the ability of a compound to transform its crystal properties
with change in temperature (Greene, Olsen, & Faith, 1942). Ammonium nitrate has five crystal
forms, and the type of crystal form depend on temperature levels. This cycling component makes
it storage of explosives very challenging since most blasting agents contain ammonium nitrate.
Cycling makes ammonium nitrate to grow bigger up to the point where it turns out to be virtually
inert thereby increasing the density to 1.2gm/cc up from 0.8gm/cc, as well as the detonation
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velocity (Greene, Olsen, & Faith, 1942). On the other hand, the when temperature reduces below
0F, the crystals shrink and become smaller and smaller (Davis, 1941).
Selection Of Explosives
A blaster usually chooses a particular explosive depending on the intended uses, reliability,
price and other product specifications. However, it is very crucial that any blaster consider the
following characteristics when choosing the type of explosive (Glasshed Television and Web,
2010).
Velocity - Velocity of an explosive determine the fragmentation desired. For instance, if large
rock sizes are required, the detonation velocity should be mainly lower that the rocks sonic.
Sensitivity - When a blaster is using explosives say in small diameter boreholes; it is important
that products such as water gels or cap sensitive emulsions should be used whereas products such
as ANFO applied in big diameter holes. ANFO does not handle a detonation well in small
holes(Glasshead Television and Web, 2010).
Gas or Pressure Release This is the level of pressure and gases produced by a blasting agent or
an explosion. Increased levels of gases mean enormous displacement.
Water Resistance This factor is critical especially in ground generating water. In this case,
water gels, plastic borehole Liners and ANFO are preferable.
Fume Quality- This explosive property is crucial when blaster are working on tunnels. In this case,
since there is inadequate ventilation, an explosive with excellent fumes of Class 1 rating must be
chosen, otherwise toxic gases from explosives could harm or kill miners(Glasshead Television and
Web, 2010).
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Initiating Device
Electric blasting caps (EBC) Commonly used in initiating high explosives. The blasting
cap comprises of two insulated wires that inserted into a metal capsule connected to a thin bridge-
ware. When the sufficient amount of current is passed to the wires, heat is generated which in-turn
ignites lead styphnate thereby detonating the explosives (Thompson, 1940).
The advantage of the EBC detonators is that it is very safe to use. In addition, it does not only
provide delay period but also allows the blaster to choose the exact time to detonate. When using
the EBC detonation method, it is very crucial that the blaster avoid any loose electric currents
(Glasshead Television and Web, 2010).
Exploding Bridgewire Detonators (EBW). Besides the EBW being much more stable than
the EBC, they contain no primary explosives. For the EBW to operate, a significant amount of
current has to be generated to the bridge-ware over a very short duration. If the right amount of
electricity is not produced, the EBW will not operate. This requirement makes it much safer since
stray currents will detonate it (Glasshead Television and Web, 2010).
Detonating Cord. This detonators comprises of cores with high explosives; PETN wrapped
with various textiles, or plastics and material that are waterproof (Glasshead Television and Web,
2010). Detonating cord is mostly used in drilling and ground works.
In conclusion, there exist several distinct type of explosives. These various explosives
take different forms such as the black powder dynamite sticks. Explosives are useful and just as
destructive. Explosive are widely used by engineers, doctors, miners and at the same used by
terrorists and other criminals.However, blasting is a very dangerous affair and safe handling
require proper training and profound experience. An understanding of the chemistry regarding
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powder and explosives is critical not only In safe handling but also for future research and
development.





















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References
Burtsell, A. T. (1943). The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives. Volume II (Davis, Tenney
L.). Journal of Chemical Education. doi:10.1021/ed020p414.1
Glasshead Television and Web. (2010). Demonstrating chemistry. England: Teachers TV/UK
Dept. of Education.
Greene, J. W., Olsen, A. L., & Faith, W. L. (1942). A laboratory course in the chemistry of
powder and explosives. Journal of Chemical Education. doi:10.1021/ed019p30
Thompson, A. F. (1940). Notes for use in a course in the chemistry of powder and explosives,
engineering defense training courses 2.15 and 2.21 offered by Department of Chemistry,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.














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