Quiz 2 - Explosives
1. PETN, the principal ingredient in the Czech invented composition Semtex 10,
can be obtained under prescription as the vasodilator "Lentonitrat" in a
100% pure form.
Hint
Nitroglycerine, another nitrate ester, is prescribed for certain heart
conditions. Process workers handling NG can suffer from
"dynamite headaches" as the blood vessels in their brain become dilated
from excessive exposure. NG can also be used to treat erectile dysfunction.
It's a pretty amazing molecule if you think of it!
It's a pretty amazing molecule if you think of it!
2. CL-20 is probably the most well known explosive developed at the Naval
Air Warfare Center at China Lake. Which molecule is it?
Hint Cage type molecules
have a very high energy density due in part to the energy stored in the
highly strained bonds between atoms
3. Which ingredients are fed into the nitration vessel in the Bachmann process
for the manufacture of RDX?
Hint
The Bachmann process has a higher yield on Hexamine than the Woolwich
process but it is contaminated with between 8-12% HMX
(this is not a problem in most explosive fills and can lower the viscosity
in Comp B during the pour)
4. HMX exists in 4 different crystalline morphologies. The densities
(in gram/cm3) of the four polymorphs are ranked as follows
β=1.90 > α=1.84 > γ=1.80 > δ=1.76.
Which of the 3D structures below most closely resembles the β-HMX ?
Hint
β-HMX has a 'chair-chair' configuration,
γ-HMX only exists in the hydrated form
and the α & β forms exist in the 'boat' configuration.
5. Sorguyl was developed by SNPE at its Sorgue facility in Southern France.
What is Sorguyl known as in the US ?
Hint
K-55 C4H4N8O9
CL-20 C6H6N12O12
CL-20 C6H6N12O12
7. The Benziger process for the synthesis of TATB uses TCTNB as a precursor.
What is the name of the reaction illustrated here ?
Hint
TATB s-Tri amino trinitrobenzene
8. The Bachmann process can produce both RDX and HMX.
At what temperature should the nitration vessel be held at to raise the
yield of HMX to between 55-60% ?
Hint It's not 95°C (203°F)
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