Kitchen Improvised Plastic Explosives
by Tim Lewis
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FORWARD
In a nation of free people, the right to know and the freedom of
information are essential to the evolution of freedom. This knowledge
should never be curtailed. I advise my fellow Americans to be watchdogs
looking and fighting the coming regulation of such knowledge. This loss
will mark the reduction of our freedoms and liberties that our forefathers
sought to obtain for their descendants. In a police state, this regulation
is another way to control the people. It saddens me greatly to see the
youth of our great nation lose the desire for knowledge. This knowledge is
the only way that we as Americans can ever even hope to keep our freedom.
You can bet that this book would never be published or even available in
the Soviet Union. This book can be the beginning of low cost blasting,
demolition and explosives as well as many new manufacturing applications.
I hope and pray that this information is never used to kill
innocent people. It is the lowest form of life that kills innocent people
with a randomly placed bomb. These people should die the most horrible
death immaginable when convicted, but the sad part is that usually they
are never caught.
If the world is ever caught in the grips of a nuclear war perhaps
this information will help the survivors "get by" and hammer a new society
out of the ashes. I hope and pray this will never happen and God will give
the leaders of our great country the wisdom to somehow lead us away from a
nuclear holocaust. Hey Saddam, are you listening? I hope that you enjoy
this book!!!
WARNING !!!
The procedures in this book can be dangerous. The compounds
produced in these procedures are or can be dangerous. The actual manufacture
of explosives is illegal and classified as a felony. These processes are
given as information and information only! The actual use of this
information by persons not familiar with proper laboratory procedures and
safety can be dangerous if not fatal. Students of explosives should obtain a
good college level chemistry book and laboratory procedure handbook.
Reasonable care has been used in the compilation of this book and this
information has been presented for its educational value only. Due to the
nature of these explosive compounds, neither the publisher or the author
can or will accept any responsibility for this info and its subsequent use.
All responsibility is assumed by the reader!
CHAPTER 1 - AMERICAN PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVES
Since the first part of WWII, the armed forces of the United States
has been searching for the perfect plastique explosives to be used in
demolition work. This search led to the development of the C composition
plastique explosives. Of this group, C-4 being the latest formulation that
has been readily adopted by the armed forces. This formulation was preceded
by C-3, C-2, and composition C.
In this chapter we will cover all of these explosives in their
chronological progression as they were developed and standardized by the
armed forces. All of these explosives are cyclonite or R.D.X. base with
various plastisizing agents used to achieve the desired product.
This plastisizer usually composes 7 - 20 % of the total weight of
the plastique. The procedure for the manufacture of R.D.X. will be given
at the end of this chapter.
All of these explosives are exceedingly powerful and should be
used with the utmost care ( detonation velocity from 7700 - 8200M/sec. ).
All of these C composition plastique explosives are suitable for and
usually the explosives of choice for all demolition work using shaped
charges, ribbon charges,and steel cutting charges. All these explosives
are relatively easy to detonate with a #6 blasting cap, but as with all
explosive charges the highest efficiency is obtained through the use of
a booster in conjunction with the blasting cap.
COMPOSITION 'C' - This explosive is just a copy of a British explosive
that was adopted early in WWII. This explosive is the 'C' explosive of
choice for home manufacture due to its ease of manufacture and the more
easily obtained compound. This explosive was available in standard
demolition blocks. The explosive was standardized and adopted in the
following composition:
R. D. X. 88.3 %
Heavy Mineral Oil 11.1 %
Lecithin 0.6 %
In this composition, the lecithin acts to prevent the formation
of large crystals of R.D.X. which would increase the sensitivity of the
explosive. This explosive has a good deal of power. It is relatively
non - toxic except if ingested and is plastic from 0-40 deg. C.. Above
40 deg., the explosive undergoes extrudation and becomes gummy although
its explosive properties go relatively unimpaired. Below 0 deg. C.,
it becomes brittle and its cap sensitivity is lessened considerably.
Weighing all pros and cons, this is the explosive of choice for the
kitchen explosives factory due to the simple manufacture of the plastique
compound.
Manufacturing this explosive can be done in two ways. The first
is to dissolve the 11.1 % plastisizing in unleaded gasoline and mixing
with the R. D. X. and then allowing the gasoline to evaporate until the
mixture is free of all gasoline. All percentages are by weight.
The second method is the fairly simple kneading of the plasticizing
compound into the R.D.X. until a uniform mixture is obtained. This
explosive should be stored in a cool dry place. If properly made, the
plastique should be very stable in storage, even if stored at elevated
temperatures for long periods of time. It should be very cap sensitive
as compared to other millitary explosives. With this explosive, as
mentioned earlier, a booster will be a good choice, especially if used
below 0 deg. C.. The detonation velocity of this explosive should be
around 7900 M/sec..
COMPOSITION C-2 - Composition C-2 was developed due to the undesirable
aspects of composition 'C'. lt was formerly used by the United States
armed forces, but has been replaced by C-3 and C-4. lt's composition
is much the same as C-3 and it's manufacture is thc safe also.
I won't go into much detail on this explosive because of its highly
undesirable traits. lt is harder to make than C-4 and is toxic to
handle. lt also is unstable in storage and is a poor choice for home
explosives manufacture. It also has a lower detonation velocity than
either C-4 or C-3. But for those of you that are interested, I will
give the composition of this explosive anyway. It is manufactured in
a steam jacketed (heated) melting kettle using the same procedure used
in incorporation of C-3. Its composition is as follows:
R.D.X. 80 %
.
Equal parts of thc following:
.
Mononitrotolulene
Dinitrotolulene
T.N.T. guncotton
Dimethylformide 20 %
COMPOSITION C-3 - This explosive was developed to eliminate the
undesirable aspects of C-2. It was standardized and adopted by the
military as the following composition:
R. D. X. 77 %
Mononitrotolulene 16 %
Dinitrotolulene 5 %
Tetryl 1 %
Nitrocellose (guncotton) 1 %
C-3 is manufactured by mixing the plastisizing agent in a steam jacketed
melting kettle equipped with a mechanical stirring attachment. The kettle
is heated to 90-100 deg. C. and the stirrer is activated. Water wet R.D.X.
is added to the plasticizing agent and the stirring is continued until a
uniform mixture is obtained and all water has been driven off. Remove the
heat source but continue to stir the mixture until it has cooled to room
temperature. This explosive is as sensitive to impact as is T.N.T..
Storage at 65 deg. C. for four months at a relative humidity of 95%
does not impair its explosive properties. C-3 is 133% as good as an
explosive as is T.N.T.. The major drawback of C-3 is its volatility which
causes it to lose 1.2% of it's weight although the explosive's detonation
properties are not affected. Water does not affect the explosive's
performance. It therefore is very good for U.D.T. uses and would be a
good choice for these applications. When stored at 77 deg. C.,
considerable extrudation takes place. It will become hard at -29 deg. C.
and is hard to detonate at this temperature. While this explosive is not
unduly toxic, it should be handled with utmost care as it contains aryl-
nitro compounds which are absorbed through the skin. It will reliably
take detonation from a #6 blasting cap but the use of a booster is always
suggested. This explosive has a great blast effect and was and still is
available is standard demolition blocks. It's detonation velocity is
approximately 7700 M / sec..
COMPOSITION C-4 C-4 was developed because of the hardening and toxicity
that made C-3 unreliable and dangerous due to the dinitrotolulene
plastisizer. The following composition is the standardized plastique
explosive as adopted by the armed forces:
R. D. X. 91.0 %
Polyisobutylene 2.1 %
Motor Oil 1.6 %
Di-(2-ethylhexy)sebecate 5.3 %
The last three ingredients are dissolved in unleaded gasoline.
The R.D.X. explosive base is then added to the gasoline-plasticizer and
the resultant mass in allowed to evaporate until the gasoline is
completely gone (this can be done quickly and efficiently under a vacuum).
The final product should be dirty white to light brown in color.
It should have no odor and have a density of 1.59 gm/cc. It does not
harden at -57 deg. C. and does not undergo extrudation at 77 deg. C..
It can be reliably detonated with a #6 blasting cap.
The bristance of this explosive ( ability to do work or fragment
ordinance ) is 120 % greater than T.N.T.. C-4 is the best plastique
explosive available in the world and probably will remain so for quite
some time. This is the #1 demolition explosive in the world and if you've
never seen this stuff used it is absolutely amazing. The detonation
velocity of C-4 is 8100 M/sec..
CHAPTER 2 - R.D.X. MANUFACTURE
Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine or cyclonite is manufactured in
bulk by nitration of hexamtehylenetetramine (methenamine, hexamine, tec.)
with strong red 100 % nitric acid. The hardest part of this reaction is
obtaining this red nitric acid. It will most likely have to be made.
More on this later. The hexamine or methenamine can usually be bought in
bulk quantities or hexamine fuel bars for camp stoves can be used, but
they end up being very expensive. To use the fuel bars they need to be
powdered before hand. The hexamine can also be made with common ammonia
water (5 %) and the commonly available 37% formaldehyde solution. To make
this component, place 400 g. of clear ammonia water in a shallow pyrex
dish. To this add 54 g. of the formaldehyde solution to the ammonia water.
Allow this to evaporate and when the crystals are all that remains in the
pan, place the pan in the oven on the lowest heat that the oven has.
This should be done only for a moment or so to drive off any remaining
water. These crystals are scraped up and plaecd in an airtight jar to
store them until they are to be used.
To make the red nitic acid, you will need to buy a retort with
a ground glass stopper. In the retort, place 32 grams of sulfuric acid
(98-100%) and to this add 68 g. of potassium nitrate or 58 g. of sodium
nitrate. Gently heating this retort will generate a red gas called
nitrogen trioxide. This gas is highly poisonous and this step as with
all other steps should be done with good ventilation. This nitric acid
that is formed wiil collect in the neck of the retort and form droplets
that will run down the inside of the neck of the retort and should be
caught in a beaker cooled by being surrounded by ice watcr. This should
be heated until no more collects in the neck of the retort and the nitric
acid quits dripping out of the neck into the beaker. This acid should be
stored until enough acid is generated to produce the required size batch
which is determined by the person producing the explosive. Of course the
batch can be bigger or smaller but the same ratios should be maintained.
To make the R.D.X., place 550 g. of the nitric acid produced by
the above procedure in a 1000 ml beaker in a salted ice bath. 50 g. of
hexamine (methenamine) is added in small portions making sure that the
temperature of the acid does not go above 30 deg. C.. This temperature
can be monitored by placing a thermometer directly in the acid mixture.
During this procedure, a vigorous stirring should be maintained. If the
temperature approaches 30 deg. C., immediately stop the addition of the
hexamine until the temperature drops to an acceptable level. After the
addition is complete, continue the stirring and allow the temperature to
drop to 0 dcg. C. and allow it to stay there for 20 minutes continuing
the vigorous stirring. After the 20 minutes are up, pour this acid -
hexamine mixture into 1000 ml of finely crushed ice and water. Crystals
should form and are filtered out of the liquid.
The crystals that are filtered out are R. D. X. and will need
to have all traces of the acid removed. To remove the traces of acid,
first wash these crystals by putting them in ice water and shaking and
refiltering. These crystals are then placed in a little boiling water
and filtered. Place them in some warm water and check the acidity for
the resultant suspension with litmus paper. You want them to read
between 6 and 7 on the Ph scale ( E. Merik makes a very good paper) and
it accurate and easy to read. If there is still acid in these crystals,
reboil them in fresh water until the acid is removed, checking to see
if the litmus paper reads between 6 and 7. Actually the closer to 7
the better. To be safe, these crystals should be stored water wet until
ready for use. This explosive is much more powerful than T.N.T.. To use,
these will need to be dryed for some manufacture processes in this book.
To dry these crystals, place them in a pan and spread them out and allow
the water to evaporate off them until they are completely dry.
This explosive will detonate in this dry form when pressed into
a mold to a density of 1.55 g./cc at a velocity of 8550 M./sec..
COMPARISON OF DETONATION VELOCITY
M / sec _________________________________
8600|
8500| ***
8400| ***
8300| ***
8200| ***
8100| ***
8000| *** ***
7900| *** *** ***
7800| *** *** *** ***
7700| *** *** *** *** ***
7600| *** *** *** *** ***
7500| *** *** *** *** ***
7400| *** *** *** *** ***
7300| *** *** *** *** ***
7200| *** *** *** *** ***
7100| *** *** *** *** ***
7000| *** *** *** *** *** ***
6900| *** *** *** *** *** ***
|_______________________________________________________________
TNT RDA Comp C Comp C-2 Comp C-3 Comp C-4
CHAPTER 3 - FOREIGN PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVES
Italian Plastique Explosives - During World War II, the Italian
military adopted R.D.X. and P.E.T.N. as their standard explosive.
Naturally then their plastique explosive are R.D.X. based. Their
explosive suits itself very well to home manufacture. It is mixed
together by kneading the components together until a uniform mixture
is obtained. This explosive is composed of the following:
R.D.X.(see R.D.X. manufacture) 78.5 %
Nitroglycerin or
Nitroglycol 17.5 %
Petrotroleum Jelly 4.0 %
This is a very powerful explosive composition as are most that
contain R.D.X. Its major drawback is toxicity. Since it contains
nitroglycerin or glycol, these components can be absorbed through the
skin. These are cardiovascular dialators and handling them will give the
most intense headaches and are poisonous. Therefore, skin contact should
be avoided. This explosive is almost as powerful as C-4 and will work
very well. It is equivalent to C-3 in power and can be considered its
equivalent in charge computation. It is less toxic than C-3 and a
little more plastic. Its detonation velocity is approximately 7800
M/sec.
OSHITSUYAKA JAPANESE PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVE - An explosive that will
lend itself to home manufacture is this explosive that was used by
the Japanese in WWII. It is an explosive that was used in ribbon charges
and demolition rolls. Of course, the main ingredient is R.D.X. which
composes most of the explosives weight. This being a plastique explosive
with a wax plastisizer is limited in the tempcrature that can be used.
These properties can be improved on somewhat by the substitution of
short fiber grease ( wheel bearing grease ) or bees wax for part of the
percentage of wax. Their composition is as follows:
R.D.X. (see R.D.X. manufacture) 80 %
Wax (l/2 wax, 1/2 wheel bearing grease) 20 %
CHAPTER 4 - PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVE FROM BLEACH
This explosive is a potassium chlorate explosive. This
explosive and explosives of similar composition were used in World War
I as the main explosive filler in grenades, land mines, and mortar
rounds used by French, German and some other forces involved in that
conflict. These explosives are relatively safe to manufacture. One
should strivc to make sure these explosives are free of sulfur, sulfides,
and picric acid. The presence of these compounds result in mixtures that
are or can become highly sensitive and possibly decompose explosively
while in storage. The manufacture of this explosive from bleach is given
just as an expediant method. This mcthod of manufacturing potassium
chlorate is not economical due to the amount of energy used to boil the
solution and cause the 'dissociation' reaction to take place. This
procedure does work and yields a relatively pure and a sulfur, sulfide
free product. These explosives are very cap sensitive and require only
a #3 cap for instigating detonation. To manufacture potassium chlorate
from bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution) obtain a heat source
(hot plate, stove etc.) a battery hydrometer, a large pyrex or enameled
steel container, (to weigh chemicals), and some potassium chloride (sold
as salt substitute). Take one gallon of bleach and place it in the
container and begin heating it. While this solution heats, weigh-out 63 G.
potassium chloride and add this to the bleach being heated. Bring this
solution to a boil and boil until when checked with a hydrometer, the
reading is 1.3 (if a battery hydromcter is used it should read full
charge).
When the reading is 1.3, take the solution and let it cool in
the refrigerator until it is between room temperature and 0 deg. C..
Filter out the crystals that have formed and save them. Boil the
solution again until it reads 1.3 on the hydrometcr and again cool the
solution. Filter out the crystals that are formed and save them. Boil
this solution again and cool as before. Filter and save the crystals.
Take these crystals that have been saved and mix them with distilled
water in the following proportions: 56 G. per 100 ml. distilled water.
Heat this solution until it boils and allow it to cool. Filter the
solution and save the crystals that form upon cooling. The proccss of
purification is called fractional crystalization. Thesc crystals should
be relatively pure potassium chlorate.
Powder these to the consistancy of face powder (400 mesh) and
heat gently to drive off all moisture. Melt five parts vaseline and
five parts wax. Dissolve this in white gasoline (camp stove gasoline)
and pour this liquid on 90 parts potassium chlorate (the crystals from
the above operation) in a plastic bowl. Knead this liquid into the
potassium chlorate until imtimately mixed. Allow all the gasoline to
evaporate. Place this explosive in a cool dry place. Avoid friction and
sulfur, sulfides and phosphorous compounds. This explosive is best molded
to the desired shape and density (1.3 g./cc) and dipped in wax to water
proof. These block type charges guarantee the highest detonation velocity.
This explosive is really not suited to use in shaped charge applications
due to its relatively low detonation velocity. It is comparable to 40%
ammonia dynamite and can be considered the same for the sake of charge
computation. If the potassium chlorate is bought and not made, it is put
into the manufacture process in the powdering stages preceding the
addition of the wax-vaseline mixture. This explosive is bristant and
powerful. The addition of 2 - 3 % aluminum powder increases its blast
effect. Detonation velocity is 3300 M/sec.
CHAPTER 5 - PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE FROM SWIMMING POOL CLORINATING COMPOUND ( H.T.H. )
This explosive is a chlorate explosive from bleach. This method of
production of potassium or sodium chlorate is easier and yields a
more pure product than does the plastique explosive from bleach
process. In this reaction the H.T. H. ( calcium hypo-chlorate -
CaClO ) is mixed with water and heated with either sodim chlorate
( table salt, rock salt ) or potassium chloride (salt substitute). The
latter of these salts is the salt of choice due to the easy
crystalization of the potassium chlorate. This mixture will need to be
boiled to ensure complete reaction of thc ingredients.
Obtain some H.T.H. swimming pool chlorination compound or
equivalent (usually 65% calcium hypochlorite). As with the bleach
is also a dissociation reaction. In a large pyrex glass or enameled
steel container place 1200 g. H.T.H. and 220 G. potassium chloride or
159 g. sodium chloride. Add enough boiling water to dissolve the powder
and boil this solution. A chalky substance ( calcium chloride ) will be
formed. When the formation of this chalky substance is no longer formed,
the solution is filtered while boiling hot. If potassium chloride was
used, potassium chlorate will be formed. This potassium chlorate will
drop out or crystalize as the clear liquid left after filtering
cools.These crystals are filtered out when the solution reaches room
temperature. If the sodium chloride salt was used this clear filtrate
( clear liquid after filtration ) will need to have all water evaporated.
This will leave crystals which should be saved.
These crystals should be heated in a slightly warm oven in a
pyrex dish to drive off all traces of water ( 40 - 75 deg.C. ). These
crystals are ground to a very fine powder ( 400 mesh ).
If the sodium chloride salt is used in the initial step, the
crystallization is much more time consuming. The potassium chloride is the
salt to use as the resulting product will crystallize out of solution as
it cools. The powdered and completely dry chlorate crystals are kneaded
together with vaseline in plastique bowl. ALL CHLORATE BASED EXPLOSIVES ARE
SENSITIVE TO FRICTION, AND SHOCK, AND THESE SHOULD BE AVOIDED. If sodium
chloride is used in this explosive, it will have a tendancy to cake and
has a slightly lower detonation velocity. This explosive is composed of
the following:
Potassium or sodium chlorate 90 %
Vaseline 10 %
The detonation velocity can be raised to a slight extent by the
addition of 2 - 3 % aluminum powder substituted for 2 - 3 % of the vaseline.
The addition of this aluminum will give this explosive a bright flash if
set off at night which will ruin night vision for a short while. The
detonation velocity of this explosive is approximately 32OO M/sec. for
the potassium salt and 290O M/sec. for the sodium salt based explosive.
CHAPTER 6 - PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVE FROM TABLE SALT
This explosive is perhaps the most easily manufactured of
the chlorate based explosives. Sodium chlorate is the product because rock
salt is the major starting ingredient. This process would work equally as
if potassium chlorate were used instead of the sodium chloride (rock salt).
The sodium chlorate is the salt I will cover due to the relatively simple
acquisition of the main ingredient. The resulting explosive made from this
process would serve as a good cheap blasting explosive and will compare
favorably with 30 % straight dynamite in power and blasting efficiency.
This explosive can be considered the same as 30 % straight dynamite in
all charge computation. These explosives and similar compositions were
used to some extent in World War I by European forces engaged in conflict.
It was used as a grenade and land mine filler. Its only drawback is its
hygroscopic nature ( tendancy to absorb atmospheric moisture ). These
explosives also have a relatively critical loading density. These should
be used at a loading density of 1.3 g./cc. If the density is not maintained,
unreliable or incomplete detonation will take place. These shortcomings are
easiiy overcome by coating the finished explosive products with molten wax
and loading this explosive to the proper density. This explosive is not
good for shaped charge use due to it's low detonation rate (2900 M/sec.).
The major part of the manufacture of this explosive from rock salt is the
cell rcaction where D.C current changes the sodium chloride to chlorate
by adding oxygen by electrolysis of a saturated brine solution. The
reaction takes place as follows:
NaCl + 3 H2O --> NaClO3 + 3 H2
In this reaction the sodium chloride (NaCl) takes the water's
oxygen and releases its hydrogen as a gas. This explosive gas must be
vented a ways as sparks or open flame may very well cause a tremendous
explosion. This type of process or reaction is called a 'cell' reaction.
The cell should be constructed of concrete or stainless steel. I won't
give any definite sizes on the cell's construction because the size is
relative to the power source. This cell would have to be large enough
to allow the brine to circulate throughout the cell to insure as uniform
a temperature as possible.
The speed of the reaction depends on two variables. Current
density is a very important factor in the speed of the reaction. The
advantages of high current densities are a faster and more efficient
reaction. The disadvantages are that cooling is needed to carry away
excess heat and the more powerful power sources are very expcnsive. For
small operations, a battery charger can be used (automotive). This is the
example I will use to explain the cell's setup and operation ( 10 amp /
12 volt). The current density at the anode ( + ) and cathode ( - ) are
critical. This density should be 50 amps per square foot at the cathode
and 30 amps per square foot at the anode. For a 10 amp battery charger
power source, this would figure out to be 5 5/16" by 5 5/16" for the
cathode. The anode would be 6 15/16" by 6 5/16". The anode is made of
graphite or pressed charcoal and the cathode is made of steel plate
(1/4"). These would need to be spaced relatively close together. This
spacing is done with some type of non-conducting material such as glass
rods. This spacing can be used to control the temperature to some extent.
The closer together they are, the higher the temperature. These can be
placed either horizontaily or vertically although vertical placement of
the anode and cathode would probably be the ideal set up as it would
allow the hydrogen to escape more readily. The anode would be placed at
the bottom if placed horizontally in the cell so that the chlorine
released could readily mix with the sodium hydroxide formed at the
cathode above it. As the current passes through, the cell chlorine is
released at the anode and mixes with the sodium hydroxide formed at the
cathode. Hydrogen is released at the cathode which should bubble out of
the brine. This gas is explosive when mixed with air and proper
precautions should be taken. PROPER VENTILATION MUST BE USED WITH THIS
OPERATION TO AVOID EXPLOSION.
Temperature control is left up to the builder of the cell. The
temperature of the cell should be maintaincd at 56 degrees C. during the
reaction. This can be done by the circulation of water through the cell
in pipes. But the easiest way would be to get an adjustable thermostatic
switch adjusted to shut the power source off until the cell cools off.
This temperature range could be from 59 degree shut off to a 53 degree
start up. An hour meter would be used on the power source to measure
the amount of time the current passes through the cell. If the water-
cooling coil design appeals to the manufacturer and an easily obtained
cheap source of cool or cold water is available, this would be the
quickest design to use. Again a thermostatic type arrangement would be
used to meter the cold cooling water through the cell. The cooling coils
would best be made of stainlcss steel to overcome the corrosiveness of
the salts although this is not entirely necessary. A thermostatic valve
would be set to open when the brine electrolyte was heated above
approximately 58 deg C. and set to close when the temperature fell to
approximately 54 deg C.. Again this would be the best and most efficient
method and the waste heat could be used relatively easily to heat either
a house or perhaps even a barn or shop.
To run the cell, after the cell has been constructed and the
concrete has been sealed and has set and cured for several weeks, is very
simple. First, to seal the concrete I suggest Cactus Paint's CP 200 series,
two componant epoxy paint or an equivalent product. To fill the cell,
place 454 g. sodium chloride in thc cell (rock salt is excellent here).
Place four liters of distilled water into the cell with the salt. The
liquid should cover the anode and the cathode completely with room to
spare. Remember that some of the water will be used in the reaction.
Thirty three grams of muratic acid, which should be available from a
swimming pool supply store is then added to the liquid in the cell. Be
careful when handling any acid !!! Then seven grams of sodium dichromate
and nine grams of barium chloride is added. The cell is then ready to run
if the plates are connected to their respective cables. These cables are
best made of stainless steel (the most corrosion resistant available).
The power supply is then hooked up and the cell is in operation. The
power is best hooked up remotely to lessen the chance of explosion. Any
time the cell runs it will be making hydrogen gas. THIS GAS IS EXPLOSIVE
WHEN MIXED WITH AIR AND ALL SPARKS, FLAME, AND ANY SOURCE OF IGNITION
SHOULD BE KEPT WELL AWAY FROM THE CELL. THIS CELL SHOULD ONLY BE RUN WITH
VERY GOOD VENTILATION. The steel plate cathode should be hooked to the
negative side of the power source and the anode hooked to the positive
side. Again these are hooked to the power supply via stainless steel
cables. This cell is then run at the proper temperature until 1800 amp
hours pass through (amount per pound of sodium chloride) the electrolyte.
The liquid in the cell is then removed and placed in an enameled steel
containcr and boiled until crystals form on liquid. It is cooled and
filtered, the crystals collected being saved. This is done twice and
the remaining liquid saved for the next cell run. The process will
become easier as each run is made. It is a good idea to keep records on
yields and varying methods to find out exactly the best process and
yield. To purify these crystals place 200 grams in 100 ml distilled water.
Boil the solution until crystals are seen on the surface. Let cool and
filter as before. Save this liquid for thc next cell run. These purified
crystals are placed in a pyrex dish and placed in the oven at 50 deg C.
for two hours to drive off all remaining water.
The explosive is ready to be made. The crystals of sodium chlorate
are ground to a powder of face powder consistancy. Ninety grams of
this sodium chlorate are kneaded with 10 grams of vaseline until a uniform
mixture is obtained. This explosive is sensitive to shock, friction, and
heat. These should be avoided at all cost. This explosive works best at
a loading density of 1.3-1.4 g./cc. If this explosive is not used at this
density, the detonation velocity will be low and detonation will be
incomplete. To load to a known density measure the volume of the container
in which the explosive is to be loaded. This can be done by pouring water
out of a graduated cylinder until the container is filled. The total
number of ml will equal the cc's of the container. Multiply this number
times 1.3 and load that much explosive ( in grams of course ) into the
container after the container has been dryed of all water. This procedure
should be used with all chlorate explosives ( plastique explosive from
bleach, plastique explosive from H.T. H.). This explosive is cheap and
relatively powerful and is a good explosive.
DETONATION VELOCITY VS. LOADING DENSITY
_______________________________________
|
3300 |
|
3200 | x x x x x x x x x x Incomplete
| x Detonation
3100 | x x x
| x x
3000 | x
| x x x x x
2900 | x
| x
2800 | x
| x
| x
|_____________________________________________________________
. 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4
CHAPTER 7 - PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVES FROM ASPIRIN
This explosive is a phenol derivative. It is toxic and explosive
compounds made from picric acid are poisonous if inhaled, ingested, or
handled and absorbed through the skin. The toxicity of this explosive
restricts its use due to the fact that over exposure in most cases causes
liver and kidney failure and sometimes death if immediate treatment is
not obtained.
This explosive is a cousin to T.N.T. but is more powerful than
its cousin. It is the first explosive used militarily and was adopted in
1888 as an artillery shell filler. Originally this explosive was derived
from coal tar but thanks to modern chemistry, you can make this compound
easily in approximately 3 hours from acetylsalicylic acid ( purified
aspirin ).
This procedure involves dissolving the acetylsalicylic
acid in warm sulfuric acid and adding sodium or potassium nitrate which
nitrates the purified aspirin and the whole mixture drowned in water
and filtered to obtain the final product. This explosive is called
trinitrophenol. Care should be taken to ensure that this explosive is
stored in glass containers. Picric acid will form dangerous salts when
allowed to contact all metals except tin and aluminum. These salts are
primary explosives and are super sensitive. They also will cause the
detonation of thc picric acid.
To make picric acid, obtain some aspirin. The cheaper buffered
brands should be avoided. Powder these tablets to a fine consistancy.
To extract the acetylsalicytic acid from this powder, place this powder
in warm methyl alcohol and stir vigorously. Not all of the powder will
dissolve. Filter this powder out of the alcohol. Again, wash this powder
that was filtered out of the alcohol with more alcohol but with a
lesser amount than the first extraction. Again filter the remaining
powder out of the alcohol. Combine the now clear alcohol and allow it
to evaporate in a shallow pyrex dish. When the alcohol has evaporated,
there will be a surprising amount of crystals in the bottom of the pyrex
dish.
Take forty grams of these purified acetylsalycilic acid crystals
and dissolve them in 150 ml of sulfuric acid (98%, specific gravity 1.8)
and heat to dissolve all the crystals. This heating can be done in a
common electric frying pan with the thermostat set on 150 deg F. and
filled with a good cooking oil. When all the crystals have dissolved in
the sulfuric acid, take the beaker that you've done this dissolving in
(600 ml), out of the oil bath.
This next step will need to be done with a very good ventilation
system ( it is a good idea to do any chemistry work such as the whole
procedure and any procedure in this book with good ventilation or
outside). Slowly start adding 58 g. of sodium nitrate or 77 g. potassium
nitrate to the acid mixture in the beaker very slowly in small portions
with vigorous stirring. A red gas (nitrogen trioxide) will be formed and
this should be avoided. (Caution: This red gas nitrogern trioxide should
be avoided. Very small amounts of this gas are highly poisonous. Avoid
breathing vapors at all cost!). The mixture is likely to foam up and the
addition should be stopped untit the foaming goes down to prevent the
overflow of the acid mixture in the beaker.
When the sodium or potassium nitrate has been added, the mixture
is allowed to cool somewhat (30-40 deg C.). The solution should then be
dumped slowly into twice its volume of crushed ice and water. Brilliant
yellow crystals will form in the water. These should be filtered out and
placed in 200 ml of boiling distilled water. This water is allowed to
cool and the crystals are then filtered out of the water. These crystals
are a very, very, pure trinitrophenol. These crystals are then placed in
a pyrex dish and placed in an oil bath and heated to 80 deg C. and held
there for 2 hours. This temperature is best maintained and checked with a
thermometer. The crystals are then powdered in small quantities to a face
powder consistancy. These powdered crystals are then mixed with 10 % by
weight wax and 5 % vaseline which are heated to melting temperature and
poured onto the crystals. The mixing is best done by kneading together
with gloved hands. This explosive should have a useful plasticity range
of 0-40 deg C.. The detonation velocity should be around 7000 M / sec..
It is toxic to handle but simply made from common ingredients and is
suitable for most demolition work requiring a moderately high detonation
velocity. It is very suitable for shaped charges and some steel cutting
charges. lt is not as good an explosive as is C-4 or other R.D.X. based
explosives but it is much easier to make. Again this explosive is very
toxic and should be treated with great care. Avoid handling bare handed,
breathing dust and fumes and avoid any chance of ignition. After
utensils are used for the manufucture of this explosive retire them from
the kitchen as the chance of poisoning is not worth the risk. This
explosive, if manufactured as above, should be safe in storage but with
any homemade explosive storage is not recommended and explosive should be
made up as needed. AVOID CONTACT WITH ALL METALS EXCEPT ALUMINUM AND TIN!!
CHAPTER 8 - NITRO-GELATIN PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVE
This explosive would be a good explosive for home type manufacturer.
It is very powerful and is mostly stable. It's power can be compared
favorable with the R.D.X. based plastique explosives. The major drawbacks
are the problems with headaches in use and its tendancy to become
insensitive to a blasting cap with age. It is a nitroglycerin based
explosive and therefore the manufacturer would need to be familiar with
the handling of nitroglycerin and know the safety procedures associated
with its handling. All of the explosive's bad points could be overcome
through planning ahead and careful handling of its explosive componants.
Gloves should be worn at all times during this explosive's manufacture
and use. The nitro headache can be avoided by avoiding skin contact and
avoidance of the the gases formed when the explosive would be detonated.
This explosive would need to be made up prior to its use to ensure cap
reliability and a high detonation rate. Nitroglyccrin is sensitive to
shock, flame and impurities. Any of these can and possibly would cause
the premature detonation of the nitroglycerin. This is something to
remember because the detonation of nitroglycerin is very impressive.
Nitroglycerin, discovered in 1846, is still the most powerful explosive
available.
This explosive is nitroglycerin made plastic by the addition of
7-9 % nitrocellose. It is possible to make this nitrocellose but much
more practical to buy it. It is available as IMR smokeless powder as
sold by Dupont. It should be easily obtained at any area sporting goods
store.
To make this explosive, take 8% IMR smokeless powder and mix it
with a 50/50 ether-ethyl alcohol and mix until a uniform mixture is
obtained. This should be a gummy putty like substance which is properly
called a collidon. To his collidon is added 92 %, by weight, nitroglycerin.
This is very, very carefully mixed by kneading with gloved hands. In
chapter 10, nitroglycerin and nitroglycol manufacture is covered. A
uniform mixture should be obtained by this kneading. THERE IS DANGER
IMVOLVED IN THIS STEP AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNLESS THE
MANUFACTURER IS WILLING TO TAKE THIS RISK. This nitro-gelatin is then
ready for use. It is not recommended that this explosive be kept for any
length of time. It should be used immediately. If this is impossible the
explosive can be stored with a relative degree of safety if the
temperature is kept in thc 0-10 deg C. range. This explosive is a good
choice if thc R.D.X. based plastique's cannot be made. The plastic nature
of this explosive will deteriorate with age but can be made pliable again
with the addition of a small percentage of 50/50 % ether-ethyl alcohol.
The detonation of velocity of this explosive should be around 7700-7900
M/sec.. This is a good explosive for underwater or U.D.T. type demolition
work.
CHAPTER 9 - GELATIN EXPLOSIVES FROM ANTI FREEZE
This explosive is almost the same as the previous formula except it is
supple and pliable to -10 deg C.. Antifreeze is easier to obtain than
glycerin and is usually cheaper. It needs to be freed of water before
the manufacture and this can be done by treating it with calcium chloride
to the antifreeze and checking with a hydrometer and continue to add
calcium chloride until the proper reading is obtained. The antifreeze is
filtered to remove the calcium chloride from the liquid. This explosive
is superior to the previous formula in that it is easier to collidon the
IMR smokeless powder into the explosive and that the 50/50 ether - ethyl
alcohol can be done away with. It is superior in that the formation of
the collidon is done very rapidly by the nitroethelene glycol. Its
detonation properties are practically the same as the previous formula.
Like the previous formula, it is highly flammable and if caught on fire,
the chances of are good that the flame will progress to detonation. In
this explosive as in the previous formula, the addition of 1 % sodium
carbonate is a good idea to reduce the chance of residual acid being
present in the final explosives. The following is a slightly different
formula than the previous one:
Nitro-glycol 75 %
Guncotton (IMR smokeless) 6 %
Potassium nitrate 14 %
Flour (as used in baking) 5 %
In this process, the 50/50 step is omitted. Mix the potassium
nitrate with the nitroglycol. Remember that this nitroglycol is just as
sensitive to shock as is nitroglycerin. The next step is to mix in the
flour and sodium carbonate. Mix these by kneading with gloved hands until
the mixture is uniform. This kneading should be done gently and slowly.
The mixture should be uniform when the 1MR smokeless powder is added.
Again this is kneaded to uniformity. Use this explosive as soon as
possible. If it must be stored, store in a cool dry place (0 - 10 deg C.).
This explosive should detonate at 7600-7800 M / sec.. These last two
explosives are very powerful and should be sensitive to a #6 blasting
cap or equivalent. These explosives are dangerous and should
not be made unless the manufacturer has had experience with this type
compound. The foolish and ignorant may as well forget these explosives
as they won't live to get to use them. Dont get me wrong, these
explosives have been manufactured for years with an amazing record of
safety. Millions of tons of nitroglycerin have been made and used to
manufacture dynamite and explosives of this nature with very few
mishaps. Nitroglycerin and nitroglycol will kill and their main
victims are the stupid and foolhardy. This explosive compound is not to
be taken lightly. If there are any doubts ... DON'T.
CHAPTER 10 - NITROGLYCERIN AND NITROGLYCOL MANUFACTURE
Glycerin and ethylene glycol are related chemically to one
another and are grouped as alcohols. Both of these oily substances
can be nitrated to form a trinitro group. These trinitro groups are
both unstable and will explode with tremendous violence and power.
Impurities in this form of the substance will also cause the
decomposition of the oil. Glycerin is used for soap manufacture and
should be easily bought without question. Ethylene glycol is sold as
common antifreeze and should be easily acquired. Ethylene glycol
renders a better product and would be the item of choice plus the
manufacture of plastique explosives from this oily explosive is much
easier than from the glycerin nitro form. If ethylene glycol is used,
it is easier to buy the anhydrous form than to dessicate the water
from the antifreeze version of this chemical. The glycerin is also best
if bought in its anhydrous form. The use of the anhydrous form (water
free) prevents the watering down of thc nitration acids and thus gives
a much higher yield of the final product.
This nitration is achieved by the action of an acid mixture on
the glycerin or glycol. This acid is composed of the following :
Nitric acid (7O %) 30 %
Sulfuric acid (98 %) 70 %
or
Nitric acid (100 %) 38 %
Sulfuric acid (98 %) 62 %
Of course, this is by weight as all the percentages in this book.
The first acid mixture won't give as good a yield of nitro compound as
the second acid mixture. The first acid strength is the only one that is
readily availabie and be bought readily. The 100% nitric acid is however
made readily and is really worth the extra trouble because the yield of
nitroglycerin or glycol is so much higher. The actual nitration should
be carried out in a glass (pyrex) or enameled steel container. The acids
are poured into the container. First the sulfuric and then the nitric
very slowly. A great deal of heat is generated by this acid mixing. This
container should have been previously placed in a salted ice bath. A
thermometer is placed in the acid. A stirring apparatus will need to be
rigged up. This will be stirred with a fish tank aerator and pump. This
compressed air is the only thing that's really safe to stir this mixture as
nitration is taking place. As the acid mixture cools, a weight of
glycerin or glycol should be measured out. For glycerin, it should equal
1/6 the total weight of the acid mixture. For the glycol, it should also
equal 1/6 of the total weight of the acid.
When the temperature of the acid mixture reaches 0-5 deg C.,
the addition of the glycerin or glycol is begun after the mixed acids have
begun being stirred by the air. Again this agitation of the mixcd acids
is very important. It will create a gradual rise in temperature and
ensures the complete nitration of the glycerin or
glycol as it is added. The glycerin-glycol is added in small quantities
with a careful eye kept on the temperature of the acids. If at any time,
the temperature of the acids rises above 25 deg C., immediately dump the
acid-glycol-glycerin into the ice bath. This will prevent the overheating
of the nitroglycerin or glycol and its subsequent explosion. If the
temperature rises close to the 25 deg C. mark, by all means, stop the
addition of the glycerin or glycol. Wait until the temperature starts to
fall before continuing the addition.
The glycol will generate more heat during the nitration than will
glycerin. The ice bath may need more ice before the reaction is complete,
so add when necessary. After the addition of the glyccrin or glycol is
complete, keep the agitation up and wait for the temperature of the
glycerin to fall to 0 deg C.. Stop the agitation of the mixed acids and
the nitroglycerin. Let the mixture set. Keep a watch on the temperature
just in case. A layer of nitroglycerin or nitroglycol should form on top
of thc acid mixture. This should be removed with a glass basting syringe.
Carefully place this with its own volume of water ( distilled ) in a
beaker. To this add small quantities of sodium bicarbonate to neutralize
any acid remaining in the nitro compound. In all steps with this nitro
oil, keep the oil at ten degrees C. or colder for the glycol. When the
addition of the bicarbonate no longer causes a fizzing ( reacting with
the excess acid ), check the water-nitro with litmus paper (E. Merik).
The reading should be around 7. If it is below 6.5, add more bicarbonate
until the reading is seven or close to it. The nitroglycerin or nitro
glycol should be settled. It should again be sucked up off the bottom
into the clean basting syringe (glass). USE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN HANDLING
THIS NITROGLYCERIN OR NITROGLYCOL, BECAUSE THE SLIGHTEST BUMP OR JAR
COULD POSSIBLY EXPLODE. WHEN SUCKING THIS OIL OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE
WATER, DO NOT BUMP THE BOTTOM WITH THE TIP OF THE BASTING SYRINGE. If
neccssary, suck up some of the water and remove it from the nitroglycerin
or glycol by forcepts and small pieces of calcium chloride. The calcium
chloride is placed in such a way that it only contacts the residual water
in the nitroglycerin or nitroglycol. To make this oil safer to handle,
add acetone to the nitroglycerin or glycol in the following proportions:
25 % acetone
75 % nitroglycerin or nitroglycol
This will make the oil less sensitive to shock, etc.. This oil
when so mixed will still be sensitive to a #8 blasting cap. Remember that
the oil contains this acetone when measuring out the oil to be used in
other explosives. It may be mixed in the formulas that call for
nitroglycerin or nitroglycol and will usually improve the incorporation
of these mixtures. To obtain maximum cap sensitivity the acetone should
be allowed to evaporate before use of the finished explosive compound.
This oil should not be stored if at all possible. But if
completely necessary, store in a cool or cold, dry, place when it is
free of acidity. Acidity in this oil can cause the explosive decomposition
of this oil in storage.
This oil, if handled or the fumes breathed, will cause tremendous '
headaches and should be avoided at all costs. They are cardiovascular
dialators when contacted and extreme care should always be used when
handling these explosives.
As stated earlier, these explosive oils have been produced in
large quantities and therefore should be reasonably safe. This manufacture
process should never be tried by someone that is unfamiliar witb chemistry,
chemistry lab procedure, and the explosive compounds produced and their
dangers.
Nitroglycerin and nitroglycol detonate at approximately 6700-8500
M/sec. depending on the power of the detonators - the stronger, the
higher the velocity.
Well that's about it. Good luck and hope you enjoyed the info.
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