R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

239 Oxidizer
The compound is formed as a by-product from the manufacture of
Hexogen by the Bachmann process (from hexamethylenetetramine,
ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, and acetic anhydride). It is obtained as
the sole product, when 1,5-methylene-3,7-dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane
is treated with acetic anhydride, ammonium nitrate, and
nitric acid.
The above starting material is formed when acetic anhydride is made
to react on hexamethylenetetramine dinitrate.
In high-power charges, especially in shaped charges, Octogen performs
better than Hexogen.
The d-phase, which may occur after heating is much more sensitive
against impact. friction and dectrostatic impulse.
Specifications
net content of b-modification:
grade A, not less than 93 %
grade B, not less than 98 %
melting point: not less than 270 °C = 518 °F
acetone-insolubles:
not more than 0.05 %
ashes: not more than 0.03 %
acidity, as CH3COOH:
not more than 0.02 %
Octol
A mixture of Octogen (HMX) and TNT 70/30 and 75/25. Performance
values:
70/30 75/25
detonation velocity, confined: 8377 8643 m/s
at r = 1.80 1.81 g/cm 3
volume of explosion gases: 827 825 l/kg
heat of explosion (H2O liq.): 1112 1147 kcal/kg
4651 4789 kJ/kg
Oxidizer
Sauerstoffträger; comburant
All explosive materials contain oxygen, which is needed for the explosive
reaction to take place. The oxygen can be introduced by
chemical reactions (nitration) or by mechanical incorporation of mate-