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

TNT

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene; Trinitrotoluol; trinitrotoluene; Trotyl; tolite

pale yellow crystals; if granulated; flakes empirical formula: C7H5N3O6

molecular weight: 227.1

energy of formation: –52.4 kcal/kg = –219.0 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: –70.6 kcal/kg = –295.3 kJ/kg

solidification point: 80.8 °C = 177.4 °F heat of fusion: 23.1 kcal/kg = 96.6 kJ/kg specific heat at 20 °C = 68 °F:

0.331 kcal/kg = 1.38 kJ/kg vapor pressure:

86.5250 482 (beginning

decomposition)

lead block test: 300 cm3/10 g detonation velocity, confined:

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

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

6900 m/s = 22600ft/s at r = 1.60 g/cm3 deflagration point: 300 °C = 570 °F impact sensitivity: 1.5 kp m = 15 N m friction sensitivity: up to 36 kp = 353 N

pistil load no reaction

critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 5 mm

TNT is almost insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, and soluble in benzene, toluene and acetone.

It is produced by nitration of toluene with mixed nitric and sulfuric acid in several steps. The trinitration step needs high concentrated mixed acids with free SO3. There are batchwise and continous nitration methods. TNT for military use must be free from any isomer other than the 2,4,6 (the specifications). This can be done by recrystallization in organic solvents (alcohol; benzene) or in 62% nitric acid. The nonsymmetrical isomers can be destroyed by washing with an aqueous sodium sulfite solution; this processing, however, brings about large quantities of red colored waste waters.

The purity grade of the product is determined by its solidification point. The minimum value for military purposes is 80.2 °C = 176.4 °F; the value for the pure 2,4,6-isomer is 80.8 °C = 177.4 °F; owing to the nitric acid recrystallization procedure, products with solidification points 80.6 and 80.7 °C (177.1 and 177.3 °F) are currently available.

TNT is by far the most important explosive for blasting charges of all weapons. It is very stable, neutral, and does not attack metals; it can be charged by casting as well by pressing; it is insensitive and needs no phlegmatizers. It can be applied pure and mixed with ammonium nitrate (W Amatols), aluminum powder (W Tritonal), with RDX (W Cyclonite and W Composition B), and combinations (W Torpex, W HBX,

W Trialenes). Furthermore, TNT is an important component of industrial explosives.

Cast charges of TNT are insensitive to blasting caps and need a booster for safe initiation. Pressed TNT is cap-sensitive.

Specifications

Other specification characteristics may also be included in the list, e.g. referring to the behavior or pressed specimens at 70 °C = 158 °F (W Exudation).

Toluene as raw material empirical formula: C7H8 molecular weight: 92.1

boiling point: 110.60 °C = 231.1 °F density (20/4): 0.8659 g/cm3 refractive index n20D : 1.4947

comprise smoke generators, including colored smoke generators and staining formulations which mark ground and water surfaces with organic dyes.

Transmission of Detonation

W Detonation; Sympathetic Detonation

Transport Regulations

Transportvorschriften; r`eglements de transport

W ADR (Road); W RID (Rail); W IATA (Air); W IMO (Shipping).

Trauzl Test

(W Lead Block Test)

Trauzl, an officer in the pioneer corps of the Austrian army, proposed the lead block method for the determination of the strength of explosive materials. The first international standardization of his method was enacted in 1904.

Trialenes

Mixtures of TNT, Cyclonite, and aluminum powder in the following proportions: 80:10:10, 70:15:15, 60:20:20, 50:10:40, and 50:25:25. They were used as fillings for bombs and torpedo warheads in the Second World War.

Triaminoguanidine Nitrate

Triaminoguanidinnitrat; nitrate de triaminoguanidine; TAGN

colorless crystals

empirical formula: CH9N7O3 molecular weight: 167.1

energy of formation: –35.2 kcal/kg = –147.2 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation:

–68.8 kcal/kg = –287.9 kJ/kg oxygen balance: –33.5% nitrogen content: 58.68%

volume of explosion gases: 1163 l/kg

heat of explosion

(H2O liq.) 950 kcal/kg = 3974 kJ/kg (H2O gas): 835 kcal/kg = 3492 kJ/kg

density: 1.5 g/cm3

melting point: 216 °C = 420 °F (decomposition) lead block test: 350 cm3/10 g

detonation velocity, confined: 5300 m/s at r = 0.95 g/cm3

deflagration point: 227 °C = 440 °F impact sensitivity:

0.4 kp m = 4 N m

friction sensitivity: over 12 kp = 120 N pistil load crackling

This compound is prepared by reacting and mole of guanidine dinitrate with 3 moles of hydrazine hydrate at 100 °C = 212 °F for four hours. The reaction is accompanied by the liberation of ammonia.

The product is distinguished by high contents of hydrogen and nitrogen.

1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene

Triaminotrinitrobenzol; triaminotrinitrobenz`ene TATB

NH2

O2N NO2

H2N NH2

NO2

bright yellow crystals empirical formula: C6H6N6O6 molecular weight: 258.1 energy of formation:

–108.7 kcal/kg = – 455.0 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation:

–129.4 kcal/kg = 541.3 kJ/kg oxygen balance: –55.8% nitrogen content: 32.6%

heat of explosion (H2O liq.): 732 kcal/kg = 3062 kJ/kg

density: 1.93 g/cm3

melting point: 350 °C = 600 °F (decomp.) lead block test: 175 cm3/10 g

detonation velocity, confined: 7350 m/s at r = 1.80 g/cm3

deflagration point: 384 °C

impact sensitivity: 5 kp m = 50 N m friction sensitivity: at 35 kp = 353 N

pistil load no reaction

TATB is obtained by nitration of trichlorobenzene and conversion of the trinitrotrichlorobenzene to TATB.

It resists heat up to 300 °C (570 °F) and is very insensitive to friction and impact; the W Critical Diameter is high. Therefore the lead block test value listed above may be too low in comparison with its other performance data.

Direct contact with some heavy metals (e.g. copper) must be avoided.

1,3,5-Triazido-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene

Triazidotrinitrobenzol; triazidotrinitrobenzene; TATNB

green-yellow crystals empirical formula: C6N12O6 molecular weight: 336.2 oxygen balance: –28.6% nitrogen content: 50.0%

volume of explosion gases: 755 l/kg specific energy: 170 mt/kg = 1666 kJ/kg density: 1.805 g/cm3

melting point: 131 °C = 268 °F (decomp.) lead block test: 470 cm3/10 g

impact sensitivity: 0.5 kp m = 5 N m

The product can be obtained by treating 2,4,6-trichloro- 1,3,5-trini- trobenzene with an alkali metal azide in alcoholic solution. It is a leadfree W initiating and powerful explosive and does not produce toxic fumes (W Lead-free Priming Compositions). The product undergoes a slow conversion into hexanitrosobenzene,

thus losing its initiating power. This reaction reaches

at 20 °C = 68 °F after 3 years: 2.7% at 35 °C = 95 °F after 1 year: 9.5% at 50 °C = 122 °F after 10 days: 2.6% at 50 °C = 122 °F after 6 years: 50%

TATNB can be “dead pressed”, like mercury fulminate.

Tricycloacetone Peroxide

Acetonperoxid; peroxyde de tricycloacetone´

colorless crystals empirical formula: C9H18O6 molecular weight: 222.1 oxygen balance: –151.3%

melting point: 91 °C = 196 °F lead block test: 250 cm3/10 g

impact sensitivity: 0.03 kp m = 0.3 N m friction sensitivity: reaction at 0.01 kp = 0.1 N

pistil load

This compound is formed from acetone in sulfuric acid solution when acted upon by 45% hydrogen peroxide. It displays the properties of primary explosives. It is not used in practice because of its tendency to sublimation.

Triethyleneglycol Dinitrate

triglycol dinitrate; Triglykoldinitrat; dinitrate de triethyleneglycol;´ TEGN

pale yellow liquid

empirical formula: C6H12N2O8 molecular weight: 240.1

energy of formation: –598.9 kcal/kg = –2505.8 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: –626.0 kcal/kg = –2619.2 kJ/kg oxygen balance: –66.7%

nitrogen content: 11.67%

volume of explosion gases: 1065 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O liq.): 793 kcal/kg = 3317 k/kg specific energy:

colorless crystals

empirical formula: C3H10N2O3 molecular weight: 122.1

energy of formation: –636.7 kcal/kg = –2664.1 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: –637.1 kcal/kg = –2816.2 kJ/kg oxygen balance: –104.8%

nitrogen content: 22.95%

volume of explosion gases: 1244 l/kg explosion heat

(H2O liq.): 511 kcal/kg = 2140 kJ/kg specific energy: 70.5 mt/kg = 691 J/kg

This salt, as well as other methylamine nitrates, has been proposed as a component of castable charges and of W Slurries.

Trimethyleneglycol Dinitrate

Trimethylenglykoldinitrat; dinitrate de trimethleneglycol´

colorless oil

empirical formula: C3H6N2O6 molecular weight: 166.1 oxygen balance: –28.9% nitrogen content: 16.87% density: 1.393 g/cm3

lead block test: 540 cm3/10 g deflagration point: 225 °C = 437 °F

(decomposition begins at 185 °C = 365 °F) impact sensitivity: up to 2 kp m = 20 N m

no reaction

Trimethyleneglycol dinitrate is less volatile than nitroglycol, but more so than nitroglycerine. Its solubilities in various solvents are similar to those of nitroglycerin. Like nitroglycerine, it forms satisfactory gels with nitrocelluloses. It causes headaches. Trimethyleneglycol dinitrate is prepared by nitration of trimethylene glycol with nitric acid or mixed acid at 0–10 °C (32–50 °F). It is less impact-sensitive than nitroglycerine and is much more stable to store. Trimethyleneglycol dinitrate should be regarded as a precursor of nitroglycol. It is now not longer used.