Tetrazene explosive
Encyclopedia
Tetrazene is an explosive material
used for sensitization of the priming compositions. It is a derivative of the compound with the IUPAC name
tetrazene
.
Tetrazene is slightly more impact-sensitive than mercury fulminate. When pressed enough, its sensitivity is reduced or destroyed; this is known as dead pressing. It also decomposes in boiling water. In contact with fire, it readily explodes
, producing large amounts of black smoke
. It is prepared by reacting sodium nitrite
with an aminoguanidine salt dissolved in acetic acid
at 30–40 °C.
Explosive material
An explosive material, also called an explosive, is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure...
used for sensitization of the priming compositions. It is a derivative of the compound with the IUPAC name
IUPAC nomenclature
A chemical nomenclature is a set of rules to generate systematic names for chemical compounds. The nomenclature used most frequently worldwide is the one created and developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ....
tetrazene
Tetrazene
Tetrazene is a chemical compound with the molecular formula N4H4. In IUPAC nomenclature, derivatives of this compound are known collectively as tetrazenes. The most common of such derivatives is tetrazene explosive , which is used for sensitization of priming compositions....
.
Tetrazene is slightly more impact-sensitive than mercury fulminate. When pressed enough, its sensitivity is reduced or destroyed; this is known as dead pressing. It also decomposes in boiling water. In contact with fire, it readily explodes
Explosion
An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a "high explosive"...
, producing large amounts of black smoke
Smoke
Smoke is a collection of airborne solid and liquid particulates and gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion or pyrolysis, together with the quantity of air that is entrained or otherwise mixed into the mass. It is commonly an unwanted by-product of fires , but may also be used for pest...
. It is prepared by reacting sodium nitrite
Sodium nitrite
Sodium nitrite is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaNO2. It is a white to slight yellowish crystalline powder that is very soluble in water and is hygroscopic...
with an aminoguanidine salt dissolved in acetic acid
Acetic acid
Acetic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CO2H . It is a colourless liquid that when undiluted is also called glacial acetic acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar , and has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell...
at 30–40 °C.