R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

337 TNT
heat of explosion
(H2O gas): 871 kcal/kg = 3646 kJ/kg
calculated*)
900 kcal/kg = 3766
(H2O liq.):{
kJ/kg}
1090 kcal/kg = 4564 kJ/kg experimental;**)
heat of detonation
specific energy: 92.6 mt/kg = 908 kJ/kg
density, crystals: 1.654 g/cm3 density, molten: 1.47 g/cm3 solidification point: 80.8 °C = 177.4 °F
heat of fusion: 23.1 kcal/kg = 96.6 kJ/kg
specific heat at 20 °C = 68 °F:
0.331 kcal/kg = 1.38 kJ/kg
vapor pressure:
Pressure Temperature
millibar °C °F
0.057 81 178 (melting point)
0.14 100 212
4 150 302
14 200 392
86.5 250 482 (beginning
decomposition)
lead block test: 300 cm3 /10 g
detonation velocity, confined:
6900 m/s = 22600ft/s at r = 1.60 g/cm3 deflagration point: 300 °C = 570 °F
impact sensitivity: 1.5 kp m = 15 N m
friction sensitivity: up to 353 N
no reaction
critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 5 mm
TNT is almost insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, and
soluble in benzene, toluene and acetone.
It is produced by nitration of toluene with mixed nitric and sulfuric acid
in several steps. The trinitration step needs high concentrated mixed
acids with free SO3. There are batchwise and continous nitration
methods. TNT for military use must be free from any isomer other than
the 2,4,6 (the specifications). This can be done by recrystallization in
organic solvents (alcohol; benzene) or in 62% nitric acid. The nonsymmetrical
isomers can be destroyed by washing with an aqueous
* computed by the “ICT-Thermodynamic-Code”.
** value quoted from Brigitta M. Dobratz, Properties of Chemical Explosives and
Explosive Simulants, University of California, Livermore.