Picture 1.NITROCELLULOSE( or cellulose nitrate)
Type: Nitrate ester.
Manu: by the action of mixed nitric and sulphuic acid on cellulose from cotton or wood.
Physical form: Fibrous white solid, normally pulped during manu. Does not melt.
Uses: In gellatinous form in propellants for guns and rockets. In nitroglycerine-based commercial explosives. In the form of powder (Dust) in bridgewire igniters.
Picture 2.
TNT (2,4,6-trinitrtoluene)
Type: Nitro compound
Manu: by the action of mixed nitric and sulphuric acid on toluene (methyl benzene).
Physical form: Pale yellow-brown crystalline solid, m.p 80.7 'c
Uses: In HE munition fillings either unmixed or mixed with other explosives eg RDX,HMX ammonium nitrate.
In some commercial blasting explosives, and some water based slurry explosives.
Picture 3.
DATB 1,3-diamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene
Type: nitrocompound
Manu: by the action of mixed nitric and sulphuric acid on 1,3-diaminobenzene.
Physical form: Bright yellow crystalline solid, m.p 286'c
Uses: As a HE filling in missile warheads, where low sensitivity to shock and a high melting point are necessary.
Picture 4.
Mercury (II) Fulminate
Type: Metal fulminate
Manu: by reaction between ethanol and a solution of mercury (II) nitrate
Physical form: greyish brown crystalline solid, does not melt.
Uses: In percussion igniters(caps) for various munitions, mixed with other ingredients. Almost obsolete.
Mercury fulminate has good percussion sensitivity unless pressed too heavily "dead-pressed", but it has a poor shelf life, particularly under hot, humid conditions.
