Complied by :Sayed Amrin Roll No -04 Third Semester Materials Science(G)

Overview of presentation
Definition of Explosive material Types of Explosion & Explosive Compositions of the Explosive material Characteristics of Explosive Commercial & Military Explosives Pollution due to Explosive References

Definition of Explosive Material

An explosive material is a material that either is chemically or otherwise energetically unstable or produces a sudden expansion of the material usually accompanied by the production of heat and large changes in pressure (and typically also a flash and/or loud noise) upon initiation; this is called the explosion.

Fundamental Types of Explosions

Mechanical

Chemical

Nuclear

Detonating High explosive denotes to at very high rate about 8000 m/s & reaction front is a shock phenomenon

Deflagrating Burn in layer parallel

the surface at low rates around 0.01 m/s and reaction front is flame

High explosive
Primary (Initiating): Heat sensitive

Explode by application of spark, flame, friction. Very dangerous to handle.

Small quantities are required .

High explosive
Secondary (Boosters):
Insensitive towards mechanical shock & flame. But they explodes with a great violence when set off by a explosive shock, such as detonating small amount of primary explosive in contact with high explosive. Easy to handle

Better storage capacity

Compositions of the Explosive material

An explosive may consist of either a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerine, or a mixture of an oxidizer and a fuel, such as black powder. 1. Chemically pure compounds
Some chemical compounds are unstable, when shocked they react possibly to the point of detonation. Each molecule of the compound dissociates into two or more new molecules (generally gases) with the release of energy, e.g. Nitroglycerin: A highly unstable and sensitive liquid. TNT (Trinitro toluene): Yellow insensitive crystals . Nitrocellulose: A nitrated polymer which can be a high or low explosive depending on nitration level and conditions. RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) : Very powerful explosives which can be used pure or in plastic explosives.

Contd.
2.Mixtures of an oxidizer and a fuel An oxidizer is a pure substance (molecule) that in a chemical reaction can contribute some atoms of one or more oxidizing elements, in which the fuel component of the explosive burns. On the simplest level, the oxidizer may itself be an oxidizing element, such as gaseous or liquid oxygen. Black powder: Potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur Flash powder: Fine metal powder (usually aluminum or magnesium) and a strong oxidizer (e.g. potassium chlorate or perchlorate). Ammonal: Ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder.
ANFO: Ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. Oxyliquits: Mixtures of organic materials and liquid oxygen

Characteristics of Explosive
Sensitivity to impact & heat Stability on storage Shattering ability (Brisance) Volatility Density Hygroscopicity Toxicity

Chemical explosive reaction

Chemistry behind Chemical Explosive:
A chemical explosive is a compound or mixture which upon the application of heat or shock, decomposes or rearranges with extreme rapidity, yielding much gas and heat. For example, at high temperatures (> 2000C) a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen can be made to react with great rapidity and yield the gaseous product nitric oxide; yet the mixture is not an explosive since it does not evolve heat, but rather absorbs heat. N2 + O2 2NO - 43,200 calories (or 180 kJ) per mole of N2

Contd..
Evolution of heat :The generation of heat in large quantities accompanies every explosive chemical reaction. It is this rapid liberation of heat that causes the gaseous products of reaction to expand and generate high pressures. This rapid generation of high pressures of the released gas constitutes the explosion. It should be noted that the liberation of heat with insufficient rapidity will not cause an explosion. Rapid expansion (i.e.,. rapid production of gases or rapid heating of surroundings)

Contd.
Rapidity of reaction :Rapidity of reaction distinguishes the explosive reaction from an ordinary combustion reaction by the great speed with which it takes place. Unless the reaction occurs rapidly, the thermally expanded gases will dissipate in the medium, and there will be no explosion.

Initiation of reaction :A reaction must be capable of being initiated by the application of shock or heat to a small portion of the mass of the explosive material.

Commercial High Explosive

Dynamite
First commercially successful high explosive product. Invented by Alfred Nobel in 1866

Straight Dynamite - Nitroglycerine is the key constituent.

Gelatin Dynamite - Nitrocellulose added to Nitroglycerine (also known as Blasting Gelatin) Ammonia Dynamite - Ammonium Nitrate replaces nitroglycerine and adds energy, reduces cost, less water resistant.

Slurry Explosive
It is the most important commercial explosive because it is easy to handle without any danger. Cost is very low. Usually ammonium nitrate mix. sensitized with non explosive fuels such as oil/wax. Properly initiated such mix. gives energy surpassing that of dynamite. Packaged in Plastic Film Cartridges (chubs) Insensitive at low temperatures.

Military Explosives
Trinitrotolulene (TNT)
Packaged in cast 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb and 1 lb blocks with adapters. Used for general demolition purposes. Cardboard packaging with metal end plates

Military Explosives
Sheet Explosives
Explosives such as RDX and/or PETN (Pentaerythritol tetra nitrate) combined into molten rubber mixture to form a thin flexible sheet of explosive Military uses two variants:

Contd..
RDX :
Invented by George Friedrich (Germany)
Mixture of PETN &TNT Patented in 1898. RDX is produced in large scale in U.S. & Canada

Explosive pollution
Large scale contamination of high explosives
Over 700,000 cubic yards of soil 10 billion gallons of groundwater Treatment costs estimated at $2.66 billion
TNT is the most widespread, toxic and recalcitrant of all the explosives Methods for degradation of explosives are also available

Biodegradation of RDX
O2N

N
N NO2

NO2

NO2-

O2N

N N

NO2-

O2N

N N

denitritration
N

NO2

denitritration
C3H4N4O2
2H2O

C3H6N6O6
R DX

C3H5N5O4
H2O

H2O

autodecomposition
NH NH CH2 CHO O2N

OH NH H N H OH NH

CO 2

HCHO

N H 2C H O

O2N

4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal
NH3

C2H5N3O3

C3H8N4O4

Explosive industries in India

ICI India Ltd., Gurgaon. Deccan Industrial Explosive Limited. ( Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan) Sukhdev Explosive Pvt Ltd. ( Surat in Gujarat) Black Diamond Explosive Pvt ( Asansol in West Bengal)

References
Organic Chemistry By Bhal & Bhal , 3rd Edition (2007) Organic Chemistry By I.L Finar,5th Edition (2006). www.wikipedia.com www.google.com