A general theory of explosives is that the detonation of the explosives charge causes a highvelocity. Many of the chemical components can be purchased from a chemical supply store in pure form. Explosive, any substance or device that can be made to produce a volume of rapidly expanding gas in an extremely brief period. The basic idea of plastic explosives, also called plastic bonded explosives pbx, is to combine explosive chemicals with a plastic binder material. They have been successfully used against the military, police, security forces, civilians or high profile facilities around the globe with devastating results.
John jermain, explosive chemist, bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives atf mr. Dissolve 50 grams of hexamine see kitchen improvised plastic explosives in 150 ml. Kitchen improvised, complete blasting caps, fertilizer explosives, plastic explosives 1 and 2 tim lewis blindreeper version. C4 is composed of explosives, plastic binder, plasticizer and usually a marker or odorizing taggant chemical such as 2,3dimethyl2,3dinitrobutane dmdnb to help detect the explosive and identify its source. Jermain is an explosive chemist with the atfs western region forensics laboratory. An acid type explosive can be made from nitric acid and white paper or cotton cloth. Improvised explosive devices case studies involving homemade explosive laboratories instructor. The order and timing of the detonation of the individual blast holes is regulated by the initiation system. In other situations, different signals such as electrical or physical shock, or, in the case of laser detonation systems, light, are used to initiate an action, i.
They are extremely sensitive to impact, friction, static spark, and heat. Jul 27, 2015 attempts to make electric blasting caps date back to the 1700s, but nothing of a really practical nature was developed until late in the 19th century. National academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine. The adoption of stronger blasting caps by the industry came a little too late for my convenience. The main charge of an ied contains the largest amount of explosive. It is used in commercial blasting, demolition, and in certain military applications. Indicators aandnd warnings fforor homemade explosiveshomemade. Primary explosives are commonly used in blasting caps and percussion caps to translate a physical shock signal. Making plastic explosives from bleach by the jolly roger potassium chlorate is an extremely volatile explosive compound, and has been used in the past as the main explosive filler in grenades, land mines, and mortar rounds by such countries as france and germany.
Plastic explosives reminder between 1979 and 2005, the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives atf documented more than 27,000 bombing and. Smoking and open flames shall not be permitted within 50 feet of explosives and detonator storage magazine. Within the field of explosives engineering, plastic explosives are also known as putty explosives. Also, a blasting cap of at least a 3 grade must be used.
A reliable plastic explosive, suitable for all types of applications, can be improvised from a mixture of high explosives and vaseline. Homemade explosives can be made by physically mixing ingredients or by chemically reacting. C4 or composition c4 is a common variety of the plastic explosive known as composition c. This explosive is the best and safest of the blasting explosives. Blasting machines the first satisfactory electrical blasting machine was invented by h. Afghanistanfertilizermarketemergingasiawhitepaperjanuary 20091. For all general blasting work, dollar for dollar, it is the best explosive for 85% of all blasting. Wash with any alcohol and store in its moist form in a plastic film canister until ready for use. Homemade explosives based in ammonium and urea nitrates core. Unlike dynamite, anfo is not cap sensitive the sensitivity of an explosive to. Blasting caps, electric blasting caps, detonating primers, and primed cartridges shall not be stored in the same magazine with other explosives or blasting agents.
It coats the explosive material, so its less sensitive to shock and heat. May 23, 2007 this is what happens when you put plastic explosives on a rock. Weighing all pros and cons, this is the explosive of choice for the kitchen explosives factory due to the simple manufacture of the plastique compound. Primer cord is plastic ropelike matcrial that is very explo sive and very. The 5 calibers to claim the most powerful handgun in the world title reupload duration. Semtex was developed and manufactured in czechoslovakia, originally under the name b 1 and then under the semtex designation since 1964, labeled as semtex 1a, since 1967 as semtex h and since 1987 as semtex 10. Kitchen improvised, complete blasting caps, fertilizer explosives. Component of plastic explosives usually combined with tnt.
The list covers not only explosives, but also blasting agents and detonators, all of which are defined as explosive materials. Reducing the threat of improvised explosive device attacks by restricting access to explosive precursor chemicals. This notice contains the 2017 annual list of explosive materials, which remains unchanged from the 2016 annual list of explosives. Low explosives like flash powder used in the original m80s, silver tube salutes hammerheads and cherry bombs was great for powerfull firecrackers. Plus cost associated with required standby personnel andor fire rescue equipment. These explosives are dangerous and should not be made unless the manufacturer has had experience with this type compound. There were two separate problems, the cap and the means to fire it. Plastic explosives reminder between 1979 and 2005, the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives atf documented more than 27,000 bombing and attempted bombings in the united states. Also known as detprimer cord, detonating cord consists of a flexible, plastic. Convention on the marking of plastic explosives for the purpose of detection 9 similar concerns in particular with respect to detecting both marked and unmarked plastic explosives. Taking a small pile at a time, he or she would apply pressure to the powder through the spoon and. Joint improvised explosive device defeat organization.
It is a castcured explosive composition made from a homogeneous mixture of rdx in a. Taking a small pile at a time, he or she would apply pressure to the powder through the spoon and rub it in a series of strokes or circles, but not too hard. The blasting agent anfo and flash powder are both examples of blended mixtures. Kitchen improvised fertilizer explosives tim lewis download bok. Use blasting useful in blasting due to the fact that it is easy and very inexpensive to pr thisepare. This explosive is one of the new plasticbonded explosives. Kitchen improvised, complete blasting caps, fertilizer. Hazmat 4th ed ifsta ch7 terrorist attacks, criminal. Its 1994 list contained a book entitled kitchen improvised fertilizer explosives.
Introduction to explosives for official use only c4. Semtex is a generalpurpose plastic explosive containing rdx and petn. Insert and tape blasting cap just beneath surface of mixture. All commercial explosives are broadly divided in two categories. Plastic explosives reminder bureau of alcohol, tobacco. Kitchen improvised fertilizer explosives by tim lewis. This is what happens when you put plastic explosives on a rock. Caps loaded with double salts are stable and have a long storage life. Similarly, there was a related expansion from fertilizerbased materials to a more. This particular mix is based upon the original composition c but would work equally well for the production of semtextype explosives. Secondly, once hme precursors are converted into explosives and incorporated into ieds they are extremely effective. Plastic explosives are especially suited for explosive demolition. Of course, there was no single standard which was universally accepted.
Manufacturing this explosive can be done in two ways. Confining the open end of the pipe will add to the effectiveness of the explosive. If it must be stored, store in a cool dry place 0 10 deg c. Homemade explosives, also known as improvised explosives, can be made from commonly available commercial chemicals with relatively minimal effort. Kitchen improvised plastic explosives lewis, tim on. Plastic explosive is a soft and handmoldable solid form of explosive material. There are also plastic borehole liners that can be used for bulk. Inert explosive training aids for explosives and pyrotechnics including commercial explosives, military explosives, ied training aids, kits, replica ordnance and artillery, replica grenades, rockets, inert missles, inert grenades, replica landmines and limpet mines, inert pyrotechnics, simulated ieds, inert detonators, blasting caps, visual training kits, boosters, inert detonating cord, time. C4, or composition 4, is one variety of plastic explosive. A mechanical explosive is one that depends on a physical reaction, such as overloading a container. Kitchen improvised fertilizer explosives tim lewis.