Explosive CPI

Explosives

Substances or mixtures that undergo rapid chemical decomposition, producing heat, light, gas, and pressure

Initiating explosives

Highly sensitive compounds that detonate with minimal energy input, such as impact, heat, or friction

High explosives

Substances that detonate (explode at supersonic speeds with a shockwave). These are used in military applications,

Low explosives (propellants)

Substances that deflagrate (burn rapidly but do not produce a shockwave).

Pyrotechnics

A branch of chemistry dealing with the controlled combustion of substances to produce heat, light, smoke, or sound

Chemical Warfare

The use of toxic chemical substances as weapons to harm or incapacitate humans, animals, or plants

Nerve agents (e.g., Sarin, VX)

Blister agents (e.g., Mustard gas)

Choking agents (e.g., Chlorine gas)

Chemical Warfare Types

China (~9th century)

Where Gunpowder was invented

Alfred Nobel, 1867

Pioneered the Advancements in dynamite, revolutionized mining and construction.

Primary Explosives – Highly sensitive, used in detonators (e.g., lead azide).

Secondary Explosives – More stable, require a detonator

Tertiary Explosives – Require strong initiation (e.g., ANFO).

Classification of Explosives Based on Sensitivity

Low Explosives - Burn Rather than Detonate

High Explosives- Undergo rapid detonation

Classification of Explosives Based on speed of reaction

Military explosives

are designed to meet stringent requirements, ensuring safety, stability, and effectiveness in combat

– Designed for warfare

Industrial Explosives

Used in mining, demolition

Propellants

– Used in rockets, guided missiles

Pyrotechnics

– For illumination, signaling, fireworks.

Cartridge Case

Made of brass or steel, it holds the primer, igniter, and propellant charge

Primer

Contains a small amount of a primary explosive such as lead azide or a sensitive mixture

detonates upon impact from the firing pin, igniting the black powder charge in the igniter.

Igniter

Contains black powder to ignite the propellant charge.

Propellant Charge

Typically composed of smokeless powder, burns rapidly to generate highpressure gas.

Projectile

The destructive component, which can contain various high-explosive fillers such as TNT, PETN, RDX, or tetryl

Booster

An intermediate explosive that ensures complete detonation of the main charge

Fuze

: On impact, the sets off a small quantity of primary explosive (detonator), triggering the booster. The booster amplifies the detonation to ensure complete ignition of the high-explosive bursting charge

Armor-Piercing Shells

Shrapnel Shells

Chemical Shells

Types of Projectiles

Armor-Piercing Shells

Contain an explosive that is highly insensitive to impact, such as ammonium or guanidine picrates, ensuring detonation only after penetration.

Shrapnel Shells

Special projectiles loaded with lead balls in a matrix of rosin or bakelite, designed to explode mid-air with a time fuze.

Chemical Shells

Some contain toxic gas instead of a bursting charge, using an elongated, strengthened burster to disperse the chemical agent

Nitro-Glycerine

First large-scale high explosive

Nitration

Separation

Washing

Storage

Steps in making Nitro-Glycerin NSWP

Volatility

Stability

Non-Reactivity

Explosive Resistance

High Toxicity

Ease of Production

Requirements for an Effective Chemical Agent: V S N

Adamsite

Causes nausea and vomiting, used in riot control.

Nerve Agents

Highly toxic compounds that disrupt the nervous system by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, leading to overstimulation of muscles and paralysis

Blister Agents (Vesicants)

Chemicals that cause severe skin, eye, and mucosal burns and blisters upon contact.

Choking Agents (Pulmonary Agents)

Cause lung damage, leading to suffocation due to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema).

Tear Gases (Lachrymators)

Cause temporary blindness, eye irritation, and respiratory discomfort without causing permanent damage. Used primarily in riot control and law enforcement

Sternutators (Incapacitating Agents)

Cause intense sneezing, nausea, and vomiting, leading to temporary incapacitation without permanent harm. Used in riot control and early chemical warfare.

Critical Mass

Minimum amount of fissile material needed to sustain a chain reaction.

Chain Reaction

A self-sustaining sequence of nuclear fissions that releases energy exponentially

Blast Effect

High-pressure shockwave that destroys buildings, infrastructure, and people near ground zero

Thermal Radiation

Intense heat burns everything in its path.

Ionizing Radiation

Releases lethal gamma rays, neutrons, and beta particles

Strontium

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Red

Calcium

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Orange

Sodium

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Yellow

Barium

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Green

Copper halides

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Blue

Caesium

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Indigo

Potassium and Rubidium

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Violet

Charcoal, iron or lampblack

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: Gold

Titanium aluminum or magnesium powder

Color of Sparks in Pyrotechnics: White

• Signal Flares: Pyrotechnic charge with a parachute, launched via black powder.

• Truck Flares: Slow-burning (1 in./min), ignited by scratch compositions.

• Tracer Bullets: Light-producing material in bullet base for visibility.Matches

Types of Pyrotechnic Devices

Strike-Anywhere Matches

Safety Matches

Types of Matches

Fission Bomb

Fusion Bomb

Types of atomic bombs