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| Science & Technology |
| A New Explosive |
| 2008-10-14 |
| A research team led by David E. Chavez at Los Alamos National Laboratory (USA) has now developed a novel tetranitrate ester. As reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie, the compound has a particularly interesting characteristic profile: it is solid at room temperature, is a highly powerful explosive, and can be melt-cast into the desired shape. Thanks to its low melting point of only about 85 degreesC, which is well below its decomposition point (141 degreesC), it can be melted and poured into molds, a much easier process for the production of explosive components. The new compound contains four nitrate ester groups (-ONO2) and two nitrate groups (-NO2) bound to a total of six carbon atoms. Its crystals demonstrate the highest density found for a nitrate ester so far. Computer calculations predict that the new tetranitrate ester should have an explosive power as high as that of octogen (HMX) - currently one of the highest-performance explosives. The sensitivity of the new compound toward shocks, friction, and sparks is equivalent to that of nitropenta. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #6 Some day a peace prize will be named for him. I can feel it. |
| Posted by: Grenter, Protector of the Geats 2008-10-14 08:46 |
| #5 Thank you David E. Chavez for your amazing contribution to humanity. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-10-14 08:09 |
| #4 Mold it into a smiley face then put it on a tank. Happy trails dude! *BOOOOOOM!!!* |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-10-14 08:04 |
| #3 With a melting point of only 85 deg C, you would have to be careful not to leave your shaped charges sitting in your closed car in the summer. At least in Iraq. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2008-10-14 07:50 |
| #2 Shaped Charges. Expect EFPs (exposively formed penetrators) to become easier and cheaper to make - maybe even less expensive - in the future. May you live in interesting times. |
| Posted by: Chuck 2008-10-14 05:49 |
| #1 Can it be molded into AK-47 rounds? |
| Posted by: gorb 2008-10-14 02:26 |