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The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

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440 PRIMARY EXPLOSIVES, DETONATORS, AND PRIMERS<br />

Lead Styphnate (Lead trinitroresorcinate)<br />

Lead styphnato is commonly prepared by adding a solution <strong>of</strong><br />

magnesium styphnate''- at 70° to a well-stirred solution <strong>of</strong> lead<br />

acetate at 70°. A voluminous precipitate <strong>of</strong> the basic salt separates.<br />

<strong>The</strong> mixture is stirred for 10 or 15 minutes; then dilute<br />

FIGURE 102. Lead Styphnate Crystals (90X).<br />

nitric acid is added with stirring to convert the basic to the<br />

normal salt, <strong>and</strong> the stirring is continued while the temperature<br />

drops to about 30°. <strong>The</strong> product, which consists <strong>of</strong> reddish-brown,<br />

short, rhombic crystals, is filtered <strong>of</strong>f, washed with water, sieved<br />

through silk, <strong>and</strong> dried.<br />

Lead styphnate is a poor initiator, but it is easily ignited by<br />

fire or by a static discharge. It is used as an ingredient <strong>of</strong> the<br />

priming layer which causes lead azide to explode from a flash.<br />

52 Prepared by adding magnesium oxide to a suspension <strong>of</strong> tttyphnic acid<br />

in water until a clear solution results <strong>and</strong> only a very small portion <strong>of</strong> the<br />

styphnic acid remains undhsolved.

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