Explosives
EXPLOSIVES:
An explosive is "a substance or a mixture, which when subjected to
thermal or mechanical shock, gets very rapidly oxidised exothermically
into products of greatly increased volume, with a sudden release of
potential energy."
Since the explosive reaction is exothermic, so the products get heated
and a high pressure is exerted on the surrounding. When this extremely
rapid chemical change takes place in a confined space, an extremely
high-pressure is developed, which shatters (चकनाचुर) the confining.
Uses of explosives: They can be used for constructive as well as destructive
purposes. One of the practical applications of explosive reactions is to use the
power produced in explosive reaction to do work.
In industry, explosives are employed for blasting ores of iron and other metals,
breaking down coal, mining salts, limestone ( for use in road construction), blasting
holes in mountains holes (for construction of tunnels) salts, excavating earth (for
dams), etc.
The other major use is in ammunition (गोला बारूद) , not only for war, but also for
supporting purposes.
Characteristics of an explosive:
a) It should be cheap and stable under normal conditions. In general, explosive
must not be volatile, and hygroscopic should be chemically stable, i.e. should
not react with the container materials.
Classification of explosives:
Explosives are, usually, classified into following three broad groups:
a) Primary or initiating explosives (or detonators) are highly sensitive explosives, which
on receiving a slight-shock or by fire. Consequently, they should be handled with the
care. They are mainly used in small quantities in shells and cartridges (गोला र कारतूस) to
start or initiate the explosion.
b) Low explosives simply burn and they do not explode suddenly. The chemical
reactions taking place in such explosives are comparatively slow, and their burning
proceeds from the surface inwards in layers at an approximate rate of 20 cm per
second. The gases evolved disperse readily, without building high pressures; and
consequently the can be controlled easily.
c) High explosives have higher energy content than the primary explosives. However,
they are quite stable and quite insensitive to fire and mechanical-shocks. Generally, a
small amount of primary explosive is placed in contact with a high explosive.
Primary explosive starts the rapid chemical reaction in the body of the high explosive,
which then proceeds at high rate of 1500 to 10,000 m/s. The volume of gases evolved,
especially under the influence of high temperatures developed, have a shattering(चकनाचरू )
effect.
Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is prepared by the nitration of toluene (C6H5CH3) using a
nitrating mixture of conc. HNO, and cone. H2SO4, in 1:1 ratio in a tank reactor, in
which contents are continuously stirred.
Then, liquid product (TNT) so-formed is taken out, washed with ammoniacal
solution of Na2SO3, and then with cold water, when TNT crystallizes out. Crystals of
TNT are filtered and purified by melting. The melt is dried (by passing warm air)
and poured in containers.
Decomposition reaction: TNT →3.5 CO+3.5C + 2.5H2O+1.5 N₂+190 kcal
Uses of TNT
i. It is used for shell of rocket launcher.
ii. It is used in air bond demolition.
iii. It is used as gun powder & as dynamite.
iv. It is used in rock blasting, subsoil blasting.
Nitroglycerine (NG) or glycerol trinitrate (GTN) or TNG is prepared by adding
glyceral to a cooled mixture of conc. H2SO4, (60%) and conc. HNO3, (40%) at 10°C
with constant stirring.
After nitration, the mixture is run into a tank, when NG rises to top; while excess acids form lower
layer. The NG layer is separated, washed first with water, then with dilute sodium carbonate
solution (2%) to remove traces of acids completely. It is then converted into different desired types
of dynamites by absorbing in specific inert materials.
Decomposition reaction: 4C3H5(NO3)2 →12CO₂+6N₂+10H₂O+02+ energy
Uses
i. It is used as direct explosive
ii. It is used as dynamite.
