R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

233 Nitrostarch
(H2O liq.): 1266 kcal/kg = 5295 kJ/kg
(H2O gas): 1163 kcal/kg = 4866 kJ/kg
specific energy: 126.5 mt/kg = 1240 kJ/kg
The product is prepared by condensation of W Nitroethane with formaldehyde
and subsequent nitration of nitromethylpropanediol.
Nitroparaffins
are aliphatic hydrocarbons with NO2-groups attached directly to carbon
atoms. They are mainly obtained by nitration in a gaseous state;
W Nitromethane; W Nitroethane; W Trinitromethane; W Tetranitromethane.
Nitroparaffins can be reacted with formaldehyde to obtain nitroalcohols,
which can be further esterified with nitric acid (W e.g. Nitroisobutylglycerol
Trinitrate).
Nitrostarch
Nitrostärke; nitrate d’amidon
[C6H7O2(ONO2)3]n
pale yellow powder
empirical formula of the structural unit: C6H7N3O9
oxygen balance at 12.2% N: –35%
density: 1.6 g/cm3 maximum value attainable by pressing: 1.1 g/cm3 lead block test: 356 cm3 /10 g
deflagration point: 183 °C = 361 °F
impact sensitivity: 1.1 kp m = 11 Nm
Nitrostarch is insoluble in water and ether, but is soluble in ether
alcohol mixtures and in acetone.
Nitrostarch, with various nitrogen contents (12–13.3%), is prepared by
nitration of starch with nitric acid or nitrating mixtures. The resulting
crude product is washed in cold water and is then dried at 35– 40 °C.
Nitrostarch resembles nitrocellulose in several respects, but, owing to
its poor stability, difficulty in preparation and hygroscopicity, it is not
used anywhere outside the USA. “Headache-free” industrial explosives
are based on nitrostarch.