Encyclopedia Of Chemistry & Explosives Materials.pdf

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMISTRY & EXPLOSIVES MATERIALS

Abelite An explosive, composed mainly of ammonium nitrate and trinitrotoluene.

Absolute Zero The least possible temperature for all substances. Generally accepted as

-273.15ÝC

AC Alternating current.

Acceptance Quality Level (AQL) A nominal value expressed in terms of percentage

defective per hundred units, by which a group of sampling plans is identified. The

sampling plans so identified have a high probability of accepting lots containing material

with a process average not greater than the designed value of the AQL.

Acetin [CH3COOC3H5(OH)2] also known as glyceryl monoacetate, a colourless

hydroscopic liquid. Used as an intermediate for various explosives, and a solvent for

various dyes.

Acetone [CH3COCH3] colourless, flammable liquid. Acetone is widely used in industry

as a solvent for many organic substances. It is used in making synthetic Resins and

fillers, smokeless powders, and many other organic compounds. Boiling Point 56ÝC.

Useful solvent for acetylene, also known as the simplest saturated ketone.

Acetylene or ethyne, a colourless gas and the simplest alkyne Hydrocarbon. Explosive

on contact with air, it is stored dissolved under pressure in Acetone. It is used to make

neoprene rubber, plastics, and resins. The oxyacetylene torch mixes and burns oxygen

and acetylene to produce a very hot flame-as high as 3480ÝC (6300ÝF)-that can cut

steel and weld iron and other metals. Produced by the action of wateron calcium carbide

and catalytically from naphtha.

Acetylide A carbide formed by bubbling acetylene through a metallic salt solution, eg

cuprous acetylide, Cu2C2 . These are violently explosive compounds.

Acid Any substance capable of giving up a proton; a substance that ionizes in solution to

give the positive ion of the solvent; a solution with a pH measurement less than 7.

Acidity the quantitative capacity of aqueous solutions to react with hydroxyl ions. It is

measured by titration with a standard solution of base to a specified end point.

Acids & Bases are two related classes of chemicals; the members of each class have a

number of common properties when dissolved in a solvent, usually water. Acids in water

solutions exhibit the following common properties: they taste sour; turn litmus paper

red; and react with certain metals, such as zinc, to yield hydrogen gas. Bases in water

solutions exhibit these common properties: they taste bitter; turn litmus paper blue; and

feel slippery. When a water solution of acid is mixed with a water solution of base, a salt

and water are formed; this process, called neutralisation, is complete only if the resulting

solution has neither acidic nor basic properties. When an acid or base dissolves in water,

a certain percentage of the acid or base particles will break up, or dissociate, into

oppositely charged ions. The Arrhenius theory of acids and bases defines an acid as a

compound that can dissociate in water to yield hydrogen ions (H+) and a base as a

compound that can dissociate in water to yield hydroxyl ions (OH-). The Brönsted-Lowry

theory defines an acid as a proton donor and a base as a proton acceptor. The Lewis

theory defines an acid as a compound that can accept a pair of electrons and a base as a

compound that can donate a pair of electrons. Each of the three theories has its own

advantages and disadvantages; each is useful under certain conditions. Strong acids,

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMISTRY & EXPLOSIVES MATERIALS

such as hydrochloric acid, and strong bases, such as potassium hydroxide, have a great

tendency to dissociate in water and are completely ionised in solution. Weak acids, such

as acetic acid, and weak bases, such as ammonia, are reluctant to dissociate in water

and are only partially ionised in solution. Strong acids and strong bases make very good

Electrolytes (see Electrolysis), i.e., their solutions readily conduct electricity. Weak acids

and weak bases make poor electrolytes.

Acne Spots A useful visual aid that youthful pimple-spotted adolescents are very likely

under the age of 18 and therefore not legally able to purchase fireworks. All shopkeepers

should be on the look-out for all customers with inflammation of the sebaceous glands.

Accroid Resin Also known as red gum. A natural plant extract used as a binder and/or a

fuel in lots of pyrotechnic compositions . See Gums.

Actinide Series The radioactive metals, with atomic numbers 89 through 103, in group

IIIb of the periodic table. They are Actinium, Thorium, Protactinium, Uranium,

Neptunium, Plutonium, Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Californium, Einsteinium,

Fermium, Mendelevium, Nobelium, and Lawrencium. All members of the series have

chemical properties similar to actinium. Those elements with atomic numbers greater

than 92 are called Transuranium Elements.

Activation treatment of a substance by heat, radiation, or activating reagent to produce

a more complete or rapid chemical or physical change.

Acyclic Compound An organic compound with molecules which have carbon atoms

arranged in open chains as opposed to closed chains.

Additive Something added to a basic composition to accomplish some special purpose -

mostly in small proportions.

Adhesion and cohesion , attractive forces between material bodies. Adhesive forces act

between different substances, whereas cohesive forces act within a single substance,

holding its atoms, ions, or molecules together. Without these forces, solids and liquids

would act as gases. Surface Tension in liquids results from cohesion, and Capillarity

results from a combination of adhesion and cohesion. Friction between two solid bodies

depends in part on adhesion.

Adiabatic Occurring without gain or loss of heat; a change of the properties, such as

volume and pressure of the contents of an enclosure, without exchange of heat between

the enclosures and its surroundings.

Adiabatic Flame Temperature As applied to interior ballistics calculation, the

temperature that the gaseous products of combustion of the propellant would attain if

maintained at constant volume and without loss of energy to the surrounding medium.

Adiabatic Temperature The temperature attained by a system undergoing a volume or

pressure change in which no heat enters or leaves the system.

Adsorption The adhesion of an extremely thin layer solid, liquid, or vapour molecules to

the surface of a solid or liquid.

Aerial firework generally a firework which functions in the air/sky i.e. rockets, shells,

roman candles and mines.

Aerial shell Material to be added later

Aerobic Living or occurring only in the presence of oxygen.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMISTRY & EXPLOSIVES MATERIALS

Aerosol A mixture of extremely fine liquid or solid particles (colloidal system) and a gas

or air such as smokes or fog.

Agglomeration The property of particles to cohere, thereby increasing apparent particle

size.

Air Blast, Mil. The airborne shock wave or acoustic transient generated by an explosion.

Air Burst, Fwk. A burst of a projectile or bomb above the ground.

Alcohol is a class of organic compounds with the general formula R-OH, where R is an

alkyl group made up of carbon and hydrogen and -OH is one or more hydroxyl groups,

each made up of one atom of oxygen and one of hydrogen. Generally, with fireworks, the

term is applied to ethyl alcohol [C2H5OH] . Although the term alcohol often refers to

Ethanol, the alcohol in alcoholic beverages, the class of alcohol also includes Methanol

and the amyl, butyl, and propyl alcohols, all with one hydroxyl group; the glycols, with

two hydroxyl groups; and glycerol, with three. Many of the characteristic properties and

reactions of alcohols are due to the polarity, or unequal distribution, of electric charges in

the C-O-H portion of the molecule.

Alizarin [C14H6O2(OH)2] also known as 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone. Red prism

crystals or needles, melting point 289ÝC. One of the most important natural and

synthetic dyes, which can also be nitrated.

Alkali Metals are elements in group Ia of the Periodic Table. In order of increasing

atomic number, they are Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, Caesium, and Francium.

They are softer than other metals, and have lower melting points and densities. All react

violently with water, releasing hydrogen and forming hydroxides. They tarnish rapidly,

even in dry air. They never occur uncombined in nature.

Alkali , Hydroxide of an Alkali Metal. Alkalies are soluble in water and form strongly basic

solutions. They neutralize acids, forming salts and water. Strong alkalies (e.g., those of

sodium or potassium) are called caustic alkalies.

Alkaline-Earth Metals are elements in group IIa of the Periodic Table. In order of

increasing atomic number, they are Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium, Barium,

and Radium. They are softer than most other metals and react readily with water. Their

properties are exceeded by the corresponding Alkali Metal.

Alkalinity the capacity of water to neutralize acids, a property imparted by the water's

content of carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, and on occasion borate, silicate, and

phosphate. It is expressed in milligrams per litre of equivalent calcium carbonate (mg/l

CaCO3).

All-Fire Current The minimum amperage (or wattage) level, which must be applied to a

bridge wire circuit to reliably, ignite the surrounding explosive material without regard to

the time of operation. Operation at all-fire level should be avoided.

Allotropy The occurrence of certain chemical elements in two or more forms; the forms

are called allotropes. Allotropes generally differ in physical properties, such as colour and

hardness; they may also differ in molecular structure or in chemical activity but are

usually alike in most chemical properties. Diamond and Graphite are two allotropes of the

element Carbon.

Alloy A combination, usually of 2 or more metals, which takes on some of the

characteristics of its components. Alloys cannot be separated into their constituent parts

by normal physical methods.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMISTRY & EXPLOSIVES MATERIALS

Alternating current (ac) current that reverses its direction at regular intervals, such as

a common 240 volt circuit.

Alum technically, a double sulphate of ammonium or a univalent or trivalent metal but

commonly used to denote aluminium sulphate [Al2(SO4)3]

Aluminised Explosive A high explosive to which aluminium powder or flake has been

added.

Aluminium [Al] There are numerous physical forms of aluminium used in the

manufacture of fireworks. Powders can be produced in hammer mills, ball mills forming

types of ‘flake’, or by atomisation, which forms ‘spherical particles’, Large flake

aluminium is known as "Flitter", while the smaller flakes are known as "Fine Bright" or

"Bright", these both are a bright silver in appearance and feel greasy to the touch. These

flakes are formed by stamping with a lubricant (stearic acid), and producing small flat

plates of foil-like particles, of irregular shape with a large surface area. Another variety of

flake is called Dark Pyro, which is very fine (Mesh size 200), this is a dull dark grey in

appearance, possibly due to up to 2% of carbon it often contains. In Germany the term

Bronze and Flitter are used as is the term ‘schliff’ for flake and ‘pyroschliff’ for very fine

flakes, brand names include "Black Head", "Blue Head" and "Gloria".

Aluminium Chloride [AlCl3] This chemical must not come in contact with the skin as

severe burns can result. The yellowish-white crystals or powder have a strong attraction

for water.

Aluminium Oxide, hydrated [Al2O3] Used in old-fashioned firework end plug glue

formulations.

Aluminium, atomised Spherical in appearance. Used in glitter formulations. Sometimes

coated with (Dupont Viton A) vinylidene fluoride or hexafluoropropylene copolymer.

Amatol High explosive made of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and trinitrotoluene;

sometimes used as a bursting charge in high-explosive projectiles.

Amber Powder ( Konroku ) This is a fossil resin of vegetable origin and is yellowish-

brown in colour. It is sometimes used in fireworks in a powdered form as a fuel. A rich

source of Succinic acid.

Ambient Surrounding meteorological conditions such as ambient temperature, humidity

and pressure.

Amines a class of organic compounds of nitrogen that may be considered as derived

from ammonia (NH3) by replacing one or more of the hydrogen atoms by organic

radicals, such as CH3 or C6H5, as in methylamine and aniline. The former is a gas at

ordinary temperature and pressure, but other amines are liquids or solids. All amines are

basic in nature and usually combine readily with hydrochloric or other strong acids to

form salts.

Ammine An inorganic compound containing NH3 molecules as part of a complex salt or

coordination compound. (Example: hexamine cobalt (III) nitrate; also spelled hexamine.)

Ammonia [NH3] is a chemical compound, colourless gas with a characteristic pungent,

penetrating odour. It is extremely soluble in water. Ammonia solutions are used to clean,

bleach, and deodourize; to etch aluminium; to saponify oils and fats; and in chemical

manufacture. Ammonia and ammonia vapours are irritating-prolonged exposure and

inhalation cause serious injury and may be fatal. Water-free ammonia is used in

refrigeration. The major use of ammonia and its compounds is as Fertilizers. Ammonia is

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMISTRY & EXPLOSIVES MATERIALS

usually produced by direct combination of nitrogen with hydrogen at high temperature

and pressure in the presence of a catalyst.

Ammonium Bichromate (Dichromate) [(NH4)2CrO7] available as orange crystals.

Used in the manufacture of indoor tabletop volcanoes (known as Vesuvius Fire) and

occasionally used in smoke formulas.

Ammonium Chloride [NH4Cl] The common name is sal ammoniac. Comes as

colourless crystals or a white powder. Used to manufacture safety explosives and white

smokes.

Ammonium Dichromate [(NH4)2Cr2O4] Orange granular. Oxidizer used in

volcanoes, sometimes used as a burn rate catalyst in propellant formulas (such as those

based on ammonium nitrate).

Ammonium Dihydroxide Phosphate Piezo-electric crystal used in numerous

transducers.

Ammonium Nitrate [NH4NO3] The ammonium salt of nitric acid.

Ammonium Nitrate Satchel Charge A mixture of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and

melted wax. The mixing ratio is 4 : 1 wax.

Ammonium Oxalate [(NH4)2C2O4.H2O] takes the form of colourless, poisonous,

crystals. Used in the manufacture of safety explosives. Ammonium Perchlorate

[NH4ClO4] A white crystalline powder (rhombic crystals), ideally about 120mesh. As an

oxidising agent, which has got no base flame colour, it is particularly useful in the

production of rich colours, particularly red and blues. Should not be used in mixes

containing chlorates or come into intimate contact with chlorate-based stars in mines or

rockets, etc. Used in strobe, colour and rocket propellant formulations. Oxidizer used in

strobe compositions; produces rich colours in some star and fountain formulations, but

slow burning; most commonly used composite rocket fuel oxidizer.

Ammonium Permanganate [NH4MnO4] A moderate explosive which can be

detonated by either heat or shock.

Ammonium Picrate [NH4C6H3O7] These bright orange crystals are used in armour

piercing shells and occasionally in fireworks. If heated to 300 degrees it will explode or it

can be set off by shock. If you do any work with this chemical, it is advisable to keep it

wet.

Ammonium salts Due to the possible formation of the highly unstable and explosive

ammonium chlorate through ion exchange, modern day practise excludes their use in

fireworks except perchlorates.

Ammonol High-explosive substance made of a mixture of ammonium nitrate,

trinitrotoluene, and flaked or powdered aluminium. Ammonal is sometimes used as a

bursting charge in high-explosive projectiles, and produces bright flashes on detonation.

Ammunition All components and any explosives case or contrivance prepared to form a

charge, complete round, or cartridge for cannon, howitzer, mortar, or small arms, or for

any other weapon, torpedo warhead, mine, depth charge, demolition charge, fuse,

detonator, projectile, grenade, guided missile, rocket, pyrotechnics; and all chemical

agents, fillers and associated hazardous materials.Ordnance means, in addition, also

non-offensive military items. Munitions(s) equals ordnance. Ammunition with primer and

propellant powder contained in a cartridge case permanently crimped or attached to a

projectile. Loaded into a weapon as a unit. Usually termed "cartridge."

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