R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

Taliani Test
heat of detonation, experimental (H2O liq.)*):
980 kcal/kg = 4103 kJ/kg
detonation velocity, confined:
7250 m/s = 23800 ft/s at r = 1.64 g/cm3 impact sensitivity: 7 kp m = 69 N m
(Quoted from the prospectus leaflet of DU PONT.)
The compound is prepared by direct nitration of dibenzotetrazapentalene
in sulfuric acid solution.
Tacot is insoluble in water and in most organic solvents; its solubility in
acetone is only 0.01%. It is soluble in 95% nitric acid, and is sparingly
soluble in nitrobenzene and dimethylformamide. It does not react with
steel or with nonferrous metals.
The explosive is of interest because of its exceptionally high stability to
high temperatures; it remains serviceable:
after 10 minutes at 660 °F = 350 °C
after 4 hours at 620 °F = 325 °C
after 10 hours at 600 °F = 315 °C
after 2 weeks at 540 °F = 280 °C
after 4 weeks at 530 °F = 275 °C
Taliani Test
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An improved version of the manometric test developed by Obermüller
in 1904. The method was considerably modified, first by Goujan and,
very recently, by Brissaud. In all modifications of the method, the test
tube containing the sample preheated to the desired temperature is
evacuated, and the increase in pressure produced by the gaseous
decomposition products is measured with a mercury manometer. The
test is usually terminated when the pressure has attained 100 mm Hg.
The test temperature are:
for nitrocellulose 135 °C = 275 °F
for propellants 110 °C = 230 °F.
The sample must be thoroughly dried before the test; the result would
otherwise also include all other components which increase the pressure
on being heated, such as water and organic solvents. Since the
result is also affected by the nitroglycerine content of the propellant
sample, the test can only be used in order to compare propellants of
the same kind with one another. This, in addition to the high testing
temperature, makes the applicability of the Taliani test for propellants
questionable. Another disadvantage is the necessity for thorough dry-
* Value quoted from Brigitta M. Dobratz, Properties of Chemical Explosives and
Explosive Simulants, University of California, Livermore.