EXPLOSIVES

What Is An Explosion?
• A rapid increase in volume & release of energy in an extreme manner,
usually with the generation of high temperature and release of gases.
• A chemical reaction which releases a vast amount of physical and
chemical energy, accompanied by light, heat and sound, in a short
space of time.

• DETONATION – Instantaneous combustion. Explosion will occur at a

rate faster than the rate of sound in that material. Usually in the case of
high level explosives. Have a shattering effect.
• DEFLAGRATION – Comparatively slower combustion. Explosion will
occur at a rate slower than the rate of sound in that material. Usually in
the case of low level explosives. Produce extreme heat and can cause
melting of surrounding objects
 What Are Explosives?
• It is a reactive substance that contains great
amount of potential energy that can produce an
explosion if released suddenly, if released suddenly
usually accompanied by the production of light,
sound heat & pressure.

• 2 types on the basis of the speed at which they

react:
› High Level Explosives – dynamite, TNT, C-4,
acetone peroxide
› Low Level Explosives – gunpowder, smokeless
powder, fireworks
• Explosives have a chemical and a physical element.
• Chemical Element – chemical energy stored in the
explosive molecules which produce heat, light,
sound, and kinetic energy.
• Physical explosion – the sudden release of pressure,
like in the explosion of a container of gas.

• Bombs are devices that can be explosive, incendiary

or a combination of both.
• Explosive device- uses a liquid/powder/solid
explosive material
• Incendiary device – is flammable and is used to
start a fire
 Low Level Explosives
(Propellants)
• Oxygen is physically combined with a fuel, not chemically.
• They burn in the same way any other combustible
substances do.
• Exert a throwing or pushing effect when the explosion
occurs
• Usually granular, where at ignition, burning travels from
one particle to next.
• Blast front velocity less than 400m/s
• Explosive is confined inside a metal/plastic pipe. When it
explosion takes place, pressure builds up inside bomb
until it shatters. They can be set off using a
flame/spark/acids.
• Eg.: Black powder, smokeless powder, etc.
Black Powder
• Also known as Gunpowder
• Black powder contains:
• 75% Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)
• 15% Charcoal (C) - fuel
• 10% Sulfur (S) - fuel

The KNO3 is the oxidizing agent.

• When heat is applied to the powder, the
oxygen from KNO3 is liberated.
• It combines with the carbon (fuel) and
sulfur (for stable combustion).
• The combustion of charcoal and sulfur
produces 2 gases – CO2 and N2.
• The buildup of gases in the cartridge,
propels the bullet forward in bullet
cartridges.
Black Powder

3C + S + 2KNO3  3CO2 + N2 + K2S + heat

Carbo Sulfur Saltpete Nitrogen Potassiu
Carbon
n in stabilize r is the gas m Sulfide
dioxide
charco s oxidizin solid
gas
al is combus g agent
fuel tion
Smokeless Powder
• Used as propellant in firearms and other weapons.

• There are 3 types:

• Single-base – contains nitrocellulose
• Double-base – contains nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine
• Triple-base – contains nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine and
nitroguanidine

• Produce very little smoke when burned, unlike black

powder.

• The reason that they are smokeless is that the combustion

products are mainly gaseous, compared to around 55%
solid products for black powder (potassium carbonate,
potassium sulfate residues).
 High Level Explosives
• Oxygen is chemically combined with a fuel
• More dangerous; has a shattering effect.
• Explode at a rate of 100-8500 m/s and blast front velocity
between 400-19000 m/s
• Require a severe shock to detonate – using a blasting cap or a
primary explosion. When they explode, they create strong shock
waves that shatter the chemical bonds between the fuel and
oxygen molecules.
• At detonation, it travels from molecule to molecule and picks up
velocity along the way, causing an instantaneous detonation.
• Substance like dynamite, TNT, C4, etc are tightly controlled so
as to ensure they are not easily procured
• Primary – Very sensitive. Eg. Nitroglycerine
• Secondary – Fairly insensitive. Eg. PETN, TNT
Primary Explosives
o These sensitive materials can be initiated
by a relatively small amount of pressure
and heat.
o Sensitive, will detonate readily when
subjected to heat or shock.
o Used to detonate other explosives in
explosive train (a triggering sequence
that ends up in a detonation of
explosives)
o E.g. Nitroglycerine, Mercury fulminate
Nitroglycerin (Initiating or primary high
explosive)

• In its pure form, it is a contact explosive

(physical shock can cause it to explode)
and degrades over time to even more
unstable forms.
• This makes it highly dangerous to
transport or use.
• In this undiluted form, it is one of the most
powerful high explosives, comparable to
the newer military explosives
• Believe it or not, it is also used as heart
medication – it is a vasodilator.
How does it work?

• The explosive power of nitroglycerin is

derived from detonation: energy from
the initial decomposition causes a
pressure gradient that detonates the
surrounding fuel.
Secondary Explosives

o The materials that require more energy

to get initiated and are relatively
insensitive are secondary explosives.
o relatively insensitive, to heat, friction
or shock, need special detonators such
as low explosives.
o E.g. Dynamite, TNT, RDX, ANFO etc.
C-4

• C-4 or Composition C-4 is a common

variety of the plastic explosive family
known as Composition C.
• C-4 is composed of
• Explosives
• plastic binder
• plasticizer to make it malleable
• a marker or odorizing taggant chemical.
Dynamite

• A creation of Alfred Nobel

• He liked the “oomph” of nitroglycerine,
but not its sensitivity.
• He discovered that kieselguhr or
diatomaceous earth would absorb the
nitroglycerine, without reducing its
explosive force.
DYNAMITE

• Dynamite is an explosive made

of nitroglycerin, sorbents (such as
powdered shells or clay) and stabilizers.
• It rapidly gained wide-scale use as a
safer alternative to black powder, as
it was the first safely manageable
explosive stronger than black powder.
Ingredients of Dynamite
• Original dynamite consisted of three parts
nitroglycerin, one part diatomaceous earth and a
small admixture of sodium carbonate.

• This mixture was formed into short sticks and

wrapped in paper, with a “fuse” or a cord with a core
of powder, that will transport the fire to the cylinder.

• Today, ammonium nitrate based dynamite is made

and the fuse has been replaced with electronic
detonators called blasting caps.
Electric Blasting Caps
(Detonators)
TNT

• Trinitrotoluene or more
specifically 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, is
a yellow solid that is sometimes used as
a reagent in chemical synthesis, but it is
best known as an explosive material
with convenient handling properties.
• TNT is one of the most commonly used
explosives for military, industrial, and
mining applications.
PETN
• PentaErythritol TetraNitrate, also known as
pentrite. PETN is also used as a vasodilator,
similar to nitroglycerin. Used as medicine for
heart diseases
• PETN and TNT used together to make small-
caliber projectiles
• Commercially used (mining, demolition, etc.)
• PETN is used in detonation cords or
Primacords. These cords are used to create a
series of explosions.
PETN primacords attached to
demolition explosives.
RDX
• RDX is the organic compound with the
formula (O2NNCH2)3. It is a white solid
widely used as an explosive.
• RDX is stable in storage and is considered
one of the most energetic and brisant of
the military high explosives.
• RDX = Cyclo-trimethylene-trinitramine
• HMX or Octagon = Cyclo-
tetramethylene-tetranitramine (related to
RDX)
Ammonium Nitrate Based
Explosives

• They are:

• Water gels

• Emulsions

• ANFOs (Ammonium Nitrate

Fuel Oil)
Water Gels
• Consistency of gel or toothpaste
• Water-resistant, so good for
explosions in or under bodies of
water and wet conditions
• Contains:
• Oxidizers : a mixture of
ammonium nitrate and sodium
nitrate, gelled together with a
carbohydrate like guar gum (food
thickener and emulsifier)
• The fuel : is usually a combustible
substance such as aluminum
Emulsion Explosives
• Have 2 distinct phases
• An oil phase
• A water phase

• These emulsions contain

• An ammonium nitrate solution
(oxidizer) surrounded by
• A hydrocarbon (fuel)
• An emulsifier such as glass, resin
or ceramic microspheres to make
the explosive less sensitive
ANFO

• Ammonium nitrate (oxidizer) or urea

nitrate, soaked in a highly combustible
hydrocarbon (fuel) – usually a fuel oil.
• Easy to make, safe to handle
• Ammonium nitrate is found in
fertilizers, so ANFOs are a favorite type
of homemade bombs.
ANFO

Dupont is a leading
manufacturer of
industrial and
commercial ANFO
 What Happens When An
Explosions Occurs?
i. Solid and/or liquid fuel combine with oxygen to
form a gaseous product.
ii. Other products convert to gases due to the heat of
combustion.
iii. The hot gases expand away from the bomb seat
iv. The movement of these gases cause the following:
i. Blast Pressure
ii. Fragmentation
iii. Heat effects
1. Blast Pressure
• The most damaging explosion effect. It inflicts the primary
damage to people and structures.
• Escaping gases travel 13000 Km/hr and exert 100s of tons
of pressure per square inch.
• This pressure compresses the gases and the surrounding
air due to which the wave(shock/blast wave) due to this
pressure, will blast anything that is in the way.
• The damage decreases with distance as the wave loses its
power.
• There is both a positive pressure phase and a negative
pressure phase that occurs as an effect of explosion.
2. Fragmentation
Can occur as:
• The bomb casing itself can shatter and the
pieces are propelled away from the bomb
seat with great force
• The bomb-maker may wrap shrapnel
around the bomb, which will cause damage
on explosion
• Blast may fragment objects on the way,
which are then propelled away from the
bomb seat.
3. Heat Effects
• Comparatively the most damaging effect of an
explosion.
• At detonation, a large ball of fire/flash is
produced at the bomb seat, which is very hot
and very brief in case of high explosives and
less hot and more prolonged in case of low
explosives.
• The flash usually dies down quickly unless
there is combustible material in the vicinity of
the blast, which can lead to secondary fires.
Examples of Explosives
1. Improvised explosive devices(IED):
• Homemade devices.
• Can be of different designs-from letter bombs to roadside bombs.
• At least four key components:
• a power supply
• Initiator
• explosive material
• a switch.
• It has an explosive main charge with electrical fusing system with
components from a device such as a mobile phone or garage door
opener.
• Remote controlled IED’s often use radio or cell phones as the trigger.
• Victim-operated IED (VOIED) fusing systems require someone or
something to complete an electronic circuit such as stepping on two
pieces of metal wire, held apart by an insulator.
2. TATP

• TATP (Triacetone triperoxide) – a

favorite amongst Middle Eastern
Terrorists.
• High level Primary explosive
• Explodes when subjected to heat
friction or shock
3. Molotov cocktail
• In its simplest form, a Molotov cocktail is a glass bottle
containing petrol fuel usually with a source of ignition such as a
burning, fuel soaked, rag wick held in place by the bottle's
stopper.

• In action the fuse is lit and the bottle hurled at a target such as a
vehicle or fortification. When the bottle smashes on impact, the
ensuing cloud of petrol droplets and vapor is ignited, causing an
immediate fireball followed by a raging fire as the remainder of
the fuel is consumed.

• Other flammable liquids such as wood alcohol and turpentine

have been used in place of petrol.

• Thickening agents such as motor oil have been added to the fuel,
analogously to the use of napalm, to help the burning liquid
adhere to the target and create clouds of thick choking smoke.
4. Pipe Bombs
• Simple construction
• A short length of pipe with 2 capped ends and
filled with either high or low explosives.
• One end is drilled to insert the detonator/fuse.
• Parts of this bomb usually survive the blast
and may hold evidence such as fingerprints
and manufacturer details.
• Hard casing leaves behind larger fragments
and soft casing will generally leave behind
smaller fragments.
5. Vehicle Bombs

• Large quantities of low level explosives

are used along with an high explosive
booster.
• Can cause great destruction at the target
location.
• Possible to at least identify the make
and model of the vehicle used and
potentially even its owner.
6. Letter & Parcel Bombs

• Contain small amount of high level

explosives packaged inside an
inconspicuous letter or parcel.
• Yield forensic evidence as the devices
rarely cause fires and so less evidence is
destroyed.
7. Mines

• Concealed devices containing high level

explosives ,commonly used by military.
• Usually hidden & detonate on touch.
• Much forensic evidence can be
obtained.
 Classification

• Organic
• Nitro Compounds, peroxides
• Eg. Nitroglycerine, TNT, TATP
• Inorganic
• Chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates
• Eg. ANFO, Black powder (Elemental
sulphur, Red phosphorous)
 Explosive Trains

• Setting up multiple explosives to

explode in a series, one after the
another.
• Minimum 2 steps, maximum 4 or
maybe more.
• 2 types which depends on the type of
final explosive:
• High Explosives
• Low Explosives
Low Explosive Trains

• Usually 2 step trains.

• Eg. Step 1 – Black Powder
Step 2 – Pipe bomb filled with
smokeless powder.
High Explosive Trains

• 4 or more steps
• The final explosive is usually a
secondary explosive.
• Detonator – Primary explosive or
blasting cap
• Boosters – Secondary explosives
1, 2, and 3 step Explosive Trains