Meyer R., Koehler J., Homburg A. Explosives. Wiley-VCH, 2002 / Explosives 5th ed by Koehler, Meyer, and Homburg (2002)

Nitroisobutylglycerol Trinitrate

nib-glycerin trinitrate; Nitroisobutylglycerintrinitrat trimethylolnitromethane trinitrate; trinitrate de nitroisobintylglyc´erine; NIBTN

yellow viscous oil

empirical formula: C4N6N4O11 molecular weight: 286.1

energy of formation: –169.1 kcal/kg = – 707.5 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation:

–190.8 kcal/kg = – 797.5 kJ/kg oxygen balance: ± 0 %

nitrogen content: 19.58 %

volume of explosion gases: 705 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O liq.): 1831 kcal/kg = 7661 kJ/kg (H2O gas): 1727 kcal/kg = 7226 kJ/kg specific energy: 125 mt/kg = 1225 kJ/kg

density: 1.68 g/cm3

solidification point: – 35 °C = – 31 °F lead block test: 540 cm3/10 g

detonation velocity, confined:

7600 m/s = 24 900 ft/s at r = 1.68 g/cm3 deflagration point: 185 °C = 365 °F impact sensitivity: 0.2 kp m = 2 N m

The compound is less volatile than nitroglycerine, practically insoluble in water and petroleum ether, soluble in alcohol, acetone, ether, benzene, and chloroform, and is a good gelatinizer of guncotton. Its explosive strength is close to that of nitroglycerine.

It is prepared by condensation of formaldehyde with nitromethane and by nitration of the nitroisobutylglycerine product under the same conditions as nitroglycerine. The nitration and stabilization procedures are very difficult because of decomposition reactions.

While being of interest to the explosives industry, since it has an ideal oxygen balance, its stabilization in practice has proven to be impossible.

Nitromethane

Nitromethan; nitrom´ethane; NM

CH3NO2

colorless liquid molecular weight: 61.0

energy of formation: – 413.7 kcal/kg = –1731 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: – 442.8 kcal/kg = –1852.8 kJ/kg oxygen balance: – 39.3 %

nitrogen content: 22.96 %

volume of explosion gases: 1059 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O liq.): 1152 kcal/kg = 4821 kJ/kg (H2O gas): 1028 kcal/kg = 4299 kJ/kg specific energy: 127 mt/kg = 1245 kJ/kg

density: 1.1385 g/cm3

solidification point: – 29 °C = – 20 °F boiling point: 101.2 °C = 214.2 °F

heat of vaporization: 151 kcal/kg = 631 kJ/kg

1.3– 29 – 20

lead block test: 400 cm3/10 g detonation velocity, confined:

6290 m/s = 20 700 ft/s at r = 1.138 g/cm3

Nitromethane is sparingly soluble in water. The compound is of industrial interest as a solvent rather than as an explosive. Its technical synthesis involves nitration of methane with nitric acid above 400 °C (750 °F) in the vapor phase.

It was used in the USA for underground model explosions (“PreGondola”), in preparation for the W Nuclear Charge technique. Nitromethane was also employed in stimulation blasting in oil and gas wells. PLX (Picatinny Liquid Explosive) is a mixture of nitromethane with 5 % ethylenediamine and is used to clean up mine fields.

Nitromethane is of interest both as a monergolic and as a liquid fuel for rockets.

Nitromethylpropanediol Dinitrate

methylnitropropanediol dinitrate; Nitromethylpropandioldinitrat; dinitrate de nitromethylpropanediol

empirical formula: C4H7N3O8 molecular weight: 225.1 oxygen balance: – 24.9 % nitrogen content: 18.67 %

volume of explosion gases: 890 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O liq.): 1266 kcal/kg = 5295 kJ/kg (H2O gas): 1163 kcal/kg = 4866 kJ/kg specific energy: 126.5 mt/kg = 1240 kJ/kg

The product is prepared by condensation of W Nitroethane with formaldehyde and subsequent nitration of nitromethylpropanediol.

Nitroparaffins

are aliphatic hydrocarbons with NO2-groups attached directly to carbon atoms. They are mainly obtained by nitration in a gaseous state;

W Nitromethane; W Nitroethane; W Trinitromethane; W Tetranitromethane.

Nitroparaffins can be reacted with formaldehyde to obtain nitroalcohols, which can be further esterified with nitric acid (W e.g. Nitroisobutylglycerol Trinitrate).

Nitrostarch

Nitrostärke; nitrate d’amidon

[C6H7O2(ONO2)3]n

pale yellow powder

empirical formula of the structural unit: C6H7N3O9 oxygen balance at 12.2 % N: – 35 %

density: 1.6 g/cm3

maximum value attainable by pressing: 1.1 g/cm3 lead block test: 356 cm3/10 g

deflagration point: 183 °C = 361 °F impact sensitivity: 1.1 kp m = 11 Nm

Nitrostarch is insoluble in water and ether, but is soluble in ether alcohol mixtures and in acetone.

Nitrostarch, with various nitrogen contents (12 –13.3 %), is prepared by nitration of starch with nitric acid or nitrating mixtures. The resulting crude product is washed in cold water and is then dried at 35 – 40 °C (95 –100 °F).

Nitrostarch resembles nitrocellulose in several respects, but, owing to its poor stability, difficulty in preparation and hygroscopicity, it is not used anywhere outside the USA. “Headache-free industrial explosives are based on nitrostarch.

energy of formation: – 164,69 kcal/kg = – 689,10 kJ/kg enthalpie of formation: – 185,14 kcal/kg = – 774,60 kJ/kg oxygen balance: – 24,6 %

nitrogen content: 43,07 %

volume of detonation gases: 855 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O liq.): 752,4 kcal/kg = 3148 kJ/kg (H2O gas): 715,4 kcal/kg = 2993 kJ/kg specific energy: 96,4 mt/kg = 945,4 kJ/kg

density: 1,91 g/cm3

detonation velocity: unconfined 7860 m/s at r = 1,80 g/cm3

confined 7940 m/s at r = 1,77 g/cm3 deflagration point: > 270 °C = > 540 °F impact sensitivity: ≥ 120 kp m = ≥ 1200 N m

friction sensitivity: at 36 kp = 353 N pistil load no reaction

NTO is synthesised in a two step process by reacting semicarbazide HCl with formic acid to obtain 1,2,4 triazole-5-one and followed by nitration to NTO.

NTO is used as an component in IHE (insensitive high explosives)

Nitrourea

Nitroharnstoff; nitro-ur´ee

colorless crystals

empirical formula: CH3N3O3 molecular weight: 105.1

energy of formation: – 617.2 kcal/kg = – 2582.4 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation:

– 642.5 kcal/kg = – 2688.4 kJ/kg oxygen balance: – 7.6 %

nitrogen content: 39.98 %

volume of explosion gases: 853 l/kg

heat of explosion (H2O liq.): 895 kcal/kg = 3745 kJ/kg specific energy: 93.0 mt/kg = 912 kJ/kg

melting point: 159 °C = 318 °F (decomposition) beginning of decomposition: 80 °C = 176 °F

Nitrourea is soluble in benzene, ether, and chloroform; it is decomposed by water.

It is synthesized by dehydration of urea nitrate with sulfuric acid.

Nozzle

Düse; tuy`ere

The function of the nozzle in rockets is to produce fast flow-through of the gas (W Gas Jet Velocity) by constricting the cross-section. The gas jet flows in the nozzle throat at the speed.

Obturate*)

Verschluss; dispositif de clˆoture

To stop or close an opening so as to prevent escape of gas or vapor, to seal as in delay elements.

Octogen

cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine; Homocyclonit; cyclot´etram´ethyl´ene t´etranitramine; Octog´ene; HMX

colorless crystals

empirical formula: C4H8N8O8 molecular weight: 296.2

energy of formation: +84.5 kcal/kg = +353.6 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: +60.5 kcal/kg = +253.3 kJ/kg oxygen balance: – 21.6 %

nitrogen content: 37.83 %

volume of explosion gases: 902 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O gas): 1255 kcal/kg = 5249 kJ/kg } calculated**) (H2O liq.): 1338 kcal/kg = 5599 kJ/kg

heat of detonation

(H2O liq.): 1480 kcal/kg = 6197 kJ/kg experimental***) specific energy: 139 mt/kg = 1367 kJ/kg

density:

a-modification: 1.87 g/cm3 b-modification: 1.96 g/cm3

* Text quoted from glossary.

**computed by the “ICT-Thermodynamic-Code”.

***value quoted from Brigitta M. Debratz, Properties of Chemical Explosives and Explosive Simulants, University of California, Livermore.

Nozzle

Düse; tuy`ere

The function of the nozzle in rockets is to produce fast flow-through of the gas (W Gas Jet Velocity) by constricting the cross-section. The gas jet flows in the nozzle throat at the speed.

Obturate*)

Verschluss; dispositif de clˆoture

To stop or close an opening so as to prevent escape of gas or vapor, to seal as in delay elements.

Octogen

cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine; Homocyclonit; cyclot´etram´ethyl´ene t´etranitramine; Octog´ene; HMX

colorless crystals

empirical formula: C4H8N8O8 molecular weight: 296.2

energy of formation: +84.5 kcal/kg = +353.6 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: +60.5 kcal/kg = +253.3 kJ/kg oxygen balance: – 21.6 %

nitrogen content: 37.83 %

volume of explosion gases: 902 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O gas): 1255 kcal/kg = 5249 kJ/kg } calculated**) (H2O liq.): 1338 kcal/kg = 5599 kJ/kg

heat of detonation

(H2O liq.): 1480 kcal/kg = 6197 kJ/kg experimental***) specific energy: 139 mt/kg = 1367 kJ/kg

density:

a-modification: 1.87 g/cm3 b-modification: 1.96 g/cm3

* Text quoted from glossary.

**computed by the “ICT-Thermodynamic-Code”.

***value quoted from Brigitta M. Debratz, Properties of Chemical Explosives and Explosive Simulants, University of California, Livermore.

g-modification: 1.82 g/cm3 d-modification: 1.78 g/cm3 melting point: 275 °C = 527 °F

modification transition temperatures:

aW d: 193 – 201 °C = 379 – 394 °F b W d: 167–183 °C = 333 – 361 °F g W d: 167–182 °C = 333 – 359 °F

aW b: 116 °C = 241 °F

b W g: 154 °C = 309 °F transition enthalpies:

a W d: 5.98 kcal/kg = 25.0 kJ/kg b W d: 7.90 kcal/kg = 33.1 kJ/kg g W d: 2.26 kcal/kg = 9.46 kJ/kg b W g: 5.64 kcal/kg = 23.6 kJ/kg a W g: 3.71 kcal/kg = 15.5 kJ/kg a W b: 1.92 kcal/kg = 8.04 kJ/kg

specific heat, b-modification: 0.3 kcal/kg at 80 °C = 176 °F

lead block test: 480 cm3/10 g detonation velocity, confined, b-mod.:

9100 m/s = 29 800 ft/s at r = 1.9 g/cm3 deflagration point: 287 °C = 549 °F impact sensitivity: 0.75 kp m = 7.4 N m friction sensitivity: at 12 kp = 120 N

pistil load: reaction

critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 8 mm

Octogen appears in four modifications, of which only the b-modification displays a particularly high density and hence also a particularly fast detonation rate.

It is practically insoluble in water. Its solubilities in other solvents resemble those of W Cyclonite.

The compound is formed as a by-product from the manufacture of Cyclonite by the Bachmann process (from hexamethylenetetramine, ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, and acetic anhydride). It is obtained as the sole product, when 1,5-methylene-3,7-dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacy- clooctane is treated with acetic anhydride, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid.

The above starting material is formed when acetic anhydride is made to react on hexamethylenetetramine dinitrate.

In high-power charges, especially in hollow charges, Octogen performs better than Cyclonite.