Explosives and Propellants

Abstract

Explosives and propellants are chemical compounds that undergo chemical decomposition reactions at very fast speeds, producing gaseous products, and a great deal of heat. In some circumstances a blast wave can be produced. The information provided here gives an introduction to this process covering the theory of detonation and deflagration. Explosives can be divided into three classes, ( 1 ) primary explosives, ( 2 ) secondary explosives, and ( 3 ) propellants. The behavior and performance of these three classes of explosives is discussed. Physical and chemical data on primary and secondary explosives is given together with details of new high temperature explosives. Lastly future developments in explosives technology are presented with regards to enhancing the performance, insensitive munitions and demilitarization.

Fluorescence Sensing Approach for High Specific Detection of 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol Using Bright Cyan Blue Color-Emittive Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-Supported Copper Nanoclusters as a Fluorophore

“…1−3 Among them, TNP is a stronger explosive material which contains high explosion velocity and low security coefficient and is broadly utilized until World War I owing to the fact that it has potent explosive properties than TNT. 4−6 Furthermore, TNP has more significance in pharmaceuticals (antiseptic), militaries, and matchstick and dye industries. 7−9 Instead of such values, TNP induces several sensitive health effects: TNP is partly ascribed to the nitro and phenol functionalities.…”

Design and Development of Fluorescent Sensors with Mixed Aromatic Bicyclic Fused Rings and Pyridyl Groups: Solid Mediated Selective Detection of 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol in Water

“…1,2 These NEs are also used in fireworks, dyes, and landmines, posing threat to the humankind and environment owing to their detonation properties. 3 Among the various NEs, such as 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane, and nitrobenzene (NB), TNP being highly acidic and soluble in water gets easily accumulated in the soil and agricultural land, causing contamination and health hazards. 4 Thus, highly selective and prompt detection of TNP in aqueous medium is significantly important.…”

Gaseous byproducts from high‐temperature thermal conversion elemental analysis of nitrogen‐ and sulfur‐bearing compounds with considerations for δ2H and δ18O analyses

“…Nitro‐organic explosives are designed to efficiently decompose into gaseous products without the addition of other reactants because they contain oxidizers and fuels within each molecule. The thermal ignition temperatures of RDX, PETN, and TNT are 260, 202, and 300 °C, respectively, well below the HTC reactor temperatures . Detonation of nitro‐organic explosives typically yields ~100‐fold more N 2 than HCN .…”