Explosives Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are the three key conditions that define an explosion?
Rapid gas pressure increase, confinement, and sudden release causing structural damage.
What type of reaction is most commonly responsible for explosions?
Oxidation—an exothermic chemical reaction producing heat and gas.
What are the four main types of explosions?
Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Nuclear
What’s the difference between deflagration and detonation?
Deflagration = flame propagation (slow); Detonation = shockwave propagation (instantaneous).
What are common effects of explosions?
Blast wave, fragmentation, thermal effect, seismic movement, water ceiling, pressure phases
What defines a low explosive?
Burns (deflagrates) under confinement; <3000 ft/sec velocity; used in propellants.
Name two common low explosives.
Black powder and smokeless powder
What are the main components of black powder?
Charcoal (C), Sulfur (S), Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃)
What makes smokeless powder different from black powder?
It uses nitrocellulose (single, double, or triple base) and burns cleaner and faster.
What are pyrotechnic powders typically made of?
Powdered metals (Al, Mg), potassium chlorate/perchlorate, sulfur
What defines a high explosive?
Detonates with a shockwave; velocity >3000 ft/sec; often requires initiation.
What are primary high explosives used for?
Initiating the explosive train; very sensitive to impact/friction/heat.
Give two examples of primary high explosives.
Mercury fulminate and lead azide
What are blasting caps and how are they initiated?
Small detonators; initiated electrically or non-electrically (flame/fuse)
What are common secondary explosives?
TNT, RDX, PETN, nitroglycerin
What is C-4 composed of?
~90% RDX and 10% plasticizer
Why is Semtex preferred in terrorist operations?
Stable, moldable, contains RDX/PETN, difficult to detect, widely available
What is a taggant and what does it help with?
A vapor-releasing chemical used to identify or trace plastic explosives.
What explosive was used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing?
ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil)
What are common fuel-oxidizer mixtures found in HMEs?
Ammonium nitrate + aluminum powder; potassium chlorate + sugar
What are the precursors for urea nitrate?
Urea and nitric acid
What peroxide explosive was used in the 7/7 London attacks?
TATP (Triacetone triperoxide)
What are the challenges in detecting peroxide explosives?
High sensitivity, instability, variable purity, low vapor pressure
What type of explosive is HMTD?
A primary peroxide explosive; highly sensitive to shock/friction
