R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

107 Dinitrotoluene
heat of fusion:
2,4-isomer: 26.1 kcal/kg = 109 kJ/kg
2,6-isomer: 22.5 kcal/kg = 94 kJ/kg
lead block test: 240 cm3 /10 g
deflagration point: ignition at 360 °C = 680°F
impact sensitivity: up to 5 kp m = 50 N m no reaction
friction sensitivity:
up to 36 kp = 353 N pistil load no reaction
critical diameter steel sleeve fest: 1 mm
Dinitrotoluene is sparingly soluble in water, alcohol and ether, but
readily soluble in acetone and benzene. It is formed as an intermediate
in W TNT Synthesis.
The product, which is obtained as a low-melting mixture of six isomers,
is an important component in the manufacture of both gelatinous
and powdery commercial explosives; owing to its negative oxygen
balance, it also serves as a carbon carrier. It is readily miscible
with nitroglycerine and gelatinizes soluble guncotton.
A purer product, consisting mainly of the 2,4-isomer, is also employed
as a component of gunpowder.
The MAK value is 1.5 mg/m3 .
Specifications
moisture: not more than 0.25 %
benzene insolubles: not more than 0.10 %
acidity as H2SO4: not more than 0.02 %
tetranitromethane:
solidification point,
none
gunpowder grade 68.0 ± 2.5 °C(154°F)
for industrial explosives: as low as possible
Table 10. Data of the other DNT isomers.
Dinitrotoluene
Isomer
Density Melting Point Energy of
Formation
kcal/
g/cm 3
Enthalpy
of Formation
kcal/
°C °F kg kJ/kg kg kJ/kg
2,3- 1.2625 59.5 139 –1.1 – 4.6 –20.9 – 87.5
2,5- 1.2820 50.5 123 –25.3 –106 – 45.0 –188
3,4- 1.2594 59.5 139 0 0 –19.2 – 80.4
3,5- 1.2772 93 199.5 –37.3 –156 –57.1 –239