R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

TNT
sodium sulfite solution; this processing, however, brings large quantities
of red colored waste waters.
The purity grade of the product is determined by its solidification point.
The minimum value for military purposes is 80.2 °C; the value for the
pure 2,4,6-isomer is 80.8 °C; owing to the nitric acid recrystallization
procedure, products with solidification points 80.6 and 80.7 °C are
currently available.
TNT is still the most important explosive for blasting charges of all
weapons. It is very stable, neutral, and does not attack metals; it can
be charged by casting as well by pressing; it is insensitive and needs
no phlegmatizers. It can be applied pure and mixed with ammonium
nitrate (W Amatols), aluminum powder (W Tritonal), with RDX (W Composition
B), and combinations (W Torpex, W HBX, W Trialenes). Furthermore,
TNT is an important component of industrial explosives.
Cast charges of TNT are insensitive to blasting caps and need a
booster for safe initiation. Pressed TNT is cap-sensitive.
Specifications
Appearance: pale yellow
flakes or crystals
solidification point, depending
on quality requirement:
not less than 80.6 °C = 177.1 °F
(the point for TNT as a
component in industrial 80.4 °C = 176.7 °F
explosives can be lower) 80.2 °C = 176.4 °F
volatiles: not more than 0.1 %
tetranitromethane: none
acidity as H2SO4:
not more than 0.005 %
alkalinity as Na2CO3:
not more than 0.001 %
benzene – insolubles:
not more than 0.05 %
ash content: not more than 0.01 %
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Other specification characteristics may also be included in the list, e.g.
referring to the behavior or pressed specimens at 70 °C = 158 °F
(W Exudation).