R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

Picric Acid
Picric Acid
2,4,6-trinitrophenol; Pikrinsäure; acide picrique
yellow crystals; (colorant)
empirical formula: C6H3N3O7
molecular weight:: 229.1
energy of formation: –242.5 kcal/kg = –1014.5 kJ/kg
enthalpy of formation: –259.3 kcal/kg = –1084.8 kJ/kg
oxygen balance: – 45.4%
nitrogen content: 18.34%
volume of explosion gases: 826 l/kg
heat of explosion
(H2O liq.): 822 kcal/kg = 3437 kJ/kg
(H2O gas): 801 kcal/kg = 3350 kJ/kg
specific energy: 101 mt/kg = 995 kJ/kg
density: 1.767 g/cm 3
solidification point: 122.5 °C = 252.5 °F
heat of fusion: 18.2 kcal/kg = 76.2 kJ/kg
specific heat: 0.254 kcal/kg = 1.065 kJ/kg
vapor pressure:
Pressure Temperature
millibar °C °F
0.01 122 252 (melting point)
2.7 195 383
67 255 491
254
lead block test: 315 cm3 /10 g
detonation velocity, confined:
7350 m/s at r = 1.7 g/cm3 deflagration point: 300 °C = 570 °F
impact sensitivity: 0.75 kpm = 7.4 Nm
friction sensitivity: up to 353 N
pistil load no reaction
critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 4 mm
Picric acid is toxic, soluble in hot water, and readily soluble in alcohol,
ether, benzene, and acetone.
The explosive power of picric acid is somewhat superior to that of
W TNT, both as regards the strength and the detonation velocity. Picric