R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

311 Tetryl
Tetryl
trinitro-2,4,6-phenylmethylnitramine; Tetryl; tétryl;
Tetranitromethylanilin; pyronite; tetralita
pale yellow crystals
empirical formula: C7H5N5O8
molecular weight: 287.1
energy of formation: +35.3 kcal/kg = +147.6 kJ/kg
enthalpy of formation: +16.7 kcal/kg
= +69.7 kJ/kg
oxygen balance: – 47.4%
nitrogen content: 24.39%
volume of explosion gases: 861 l/kg
heat of explosion
(H2O gas): 996 kcal/kg = 4166 kJ/kg calculated*)
1021 kcal/kg = 4271 kJ/kg }
(H2O liq.): { 1140 kcal/kg = 4773 kJ/kg experimental**)
specific energy: 123 mt/kg = 1208 kJ/kg
density: 1.73 g/cm 3
melting point: 129.5 °C = 265 °F
heat of fusion: 19.1 kcal/kg = 80 kJ/kg
lead block test: 410 cm 3 /10 g
detonation velocity, confined:
7570 m/s = 24800 ft/s at r = 1.71 g/cm 3
deflagration point: 185 °C = 365 °F
impact sensitivity: 0.3 kp m = 3 N m
friction sensitivity: 36 kp = 353 N
pistil load reaction
critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 6 mm
Tetryl is poisonous; it is practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble
in alcohol, ether, and benzene, and is more readily soluble in acetone.
It is obtained by dissolving mono- and dimethylaniline in sulfuric acid
and pouring the solution into nitric acid, with cooling.
Tetryl is a highly brisant, very powerful explosive, with a satisfactory
initiating power which is used in the manufacture of primary and
* computed by the “ICT-Thermodynamic-Code”.
** value quoted from Brigitta M. Dobratz, Properties of Chemical Explosives and
Explosive Simulants, University of California, Livermore.