Meyer R., Koehler J., Homburg A. Explosives. Wiley-VCH, 2002 / Explosives 5th ed by Koehler, Meyer, and Homburg (2002)

31	Benzoyl Peroxide

Base-Bleed Propellants

Gas generating elements inserted in the bottom of projectiles. They consists of composite propellant formulations. The gas produced serves to fill up the vacuum behind the flying projectile. The range can be extended up to 30 %.

Base Charge*)

Sekundärladung; charge de base de d´etonateur

The main explosive charge in the base of a blasting cap, an electric blasting cap, or a non-electric delay cap.

Bazooka

A shaped-charge anti-tank weapon first used by the Americans in the Second World War; W Shaped Charges. Its operating method is identical with that of the “Panzerfaust” developed in Germany at that time.

B-Black Powder

Sprengsalpeter; poudre noir au nitrate de soude

is a W Black Powder mixture which contains sodium nitrate instead of potassium nitrate. It is marketed and utilized in the form of compressed cylinder-shaped grains, 25 and 30 mm of diameter, with a central hole 5 mm in diameter.

Bengal Fireworks

W Pyrotechnical Compositions.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoylperoxid; peroxyde de benzoyle

colorless crystals

empirical formula: C14H10O4

* Text quoted from glossary.

Bergmann-Junk Test	32

molecular weight: 242.1 oxygen balance: –191.6 %

melting and deflagration point: 107 °C = 225°F impact sensitivity: 0.5 kp m = 5 N m

friction sensitivity: at 12 kp = 120 N pistil load decomposition: at 24 kp = 240 N pistil load crackling critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 10 mm

Benzoyl peroxide is sparingly soluble in water and alcohol, but soluble in ether, benzene and chloroform. It can be prepared by reaction of benzoyl chloride with sodium peroxide.

The explosion strength of the product is low, but its sensitivity relatively high.

The organic peroxides serve as catalysts for polymerization reactions. They must be wetted or phlegmatized (W Phlegmatization) for transportation and handling.

Benzoyl peroxide can also be used as a bleaching agent for oils and fats.

Bergmann-Junk Test

A method, developed by Bergmann and Junk in 1904, for testing the chemical stability of nitrocellulose; it was also subsequently employed for testing single-base powders. The test tube, which contains the specimen being tested, and which is equipped with a cup attachment, is heated at 132 °C = 270.4°F for two hours (nitrocellulose) or five hours (single base powders). At the end of the heating period the sample is extracted with water, and the test tube filled to the 50-ml mark with the water in the cup. The solution is filtered, and the content of nitrous oxides is determined by the Schulze-Tiemann method on an aliquot of the filtrate.

The main disadvantage of the method is that nitrous compounds are only incompletely absorbed in water, especially since the atmospheric oxygen which has remained behind in the tube is expelled during heating or is displaced by the carbon dioxide evolved at the powder surface. Moreover, the results vary with the volume of the specimen employed, since differing volumes of water are required to fill the tube up to the mark in gelled and porous powders.

Hence suggested by Siebert suggested in 1942 the use of H2O2 rather than water as the absorption medium. He also suggested that the apparatus employed be redesigned, to avoid gas losses which occur when the cup attachment is taken off. In the new design, the cup is replaced by a large (over 50 ml) attachment resembling a fermentation tube, which need not be taken off during the extraction of the sample.

33	Billet*)

In this way quantitative determination of the liberated No, even in large amounts, becomes possible.

Siebert also suggested that the total acidity be determined by titration against N/100 NaOH, in the presence of Tashiro’s indicator. In this manner W Double Base Propellants can also be tested as well; the test is carried out at 115 °C, the duration of heating being 8 or 16 hours depending on the nitroglycerine content of the sample (or of similar products, e.g. W Diethyleneglycol Dinitrate).

Bichel Bomb

Bichel-Bombe; bombe Bichel

Used to study the composition and W Volume of Explosion Gases. It consists of a heavy steel case sealed by a screw cap. The construction withstands the dynamic shock of a detonating explosive sample. The gas developed can be vented by a valve in the screw cap for measurement of volume and for gas analysis.

The W Lead Block Test has been used for the same purpose: the block is sealed hermetically by a plug, and held in position by a steel construction. After detonation of the explosive sample in the block, the gas content has been vented by a special sealed drilling tool.

For the evaluation of the specific gas volume by computing W Thermodynamic Calculation of Decomposition Reactions.

BICT

Bundesinstitut für Chemisch-Technische Untersuchungen

German Federal institute for testing of and research on propellants and explosives for military purposes.

Since 01. 04. 97 the name of this institute has been changed “Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Werk-, Explosivund Betriebsstoffe (WIWEB)” (= Defence Scientific for Construction Materials, Explosives and Operating Materials).

Billet*)

Monolithic charge of solid propellant of any geometry; term usually applied to a formed propellant prior to final shaping (W Grain).

* Text quoted from glossary.

Binder*)	34

Binder*)

Compositions that hold together a charge of finely divided particles and increase the mechanical strength of the resulting propellant grain when it is consolidated under pressure. Binders are usually resins, plastics, or asphaltics, used dry or in solution (W Active Binders).

BITA

Abbreviation denotation for an aziridine curing agent in W Composite Propellants; it has the following structure:

empirical formula: C21H27O3N3 molecular weight: 369.24 density: 1.00 g/cm3

Bi-trinitroethylnitramine

Di (2,2,2-trinitroethyl)nitramin; di-trinitro´ethylnitramine; BTNENA, HOX = High Oxygen Explosive

empirical formula: C4H4N8O14 molecular weight: 388.1

energy of formation: +2.8 kcal/kg = +11.9 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: –17.0 kcal/kg = – 71.2 kJ/kg oxygen balance: +16.5 %

nitrogen content: 28.80 %

volume of explosion gases: 693 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O liq.): 1299 kcal/kg = 5436 kJ/kg (H2O gas): 1248 kcal/kg = 5222 kJ/kg

and

* Text quoted from glossary.

35	Black Powder

Bi-trinitroethylurea

Di (2,2,2-trinitroethyl)-Harnstoff; di-trinitro´ethylur´ee; BTNEU

empirical formula: C5H6N8O13 molecular weight: 386.1

energy of formation: –178.5 kcal/kg = – 746.7 kJ/kg enthalpy of formation: –199.2 kcal/kg = – 833.2 kJ/kg oxygen balance: ± 0 %

nitrogen content: 29.02 %

volume of explosion gases: 697 l/kg heat of explosion

(H2O liq.): 1543 kcal/kg = 6454 kJ/kg (H2O gas): 1465 kcal/kg = 6131 kJ/kg specific energy: 114 mt/kg = 1119 kJ/kg

are derivatives of trinitroethylalcohol, addition product of W Trinitromethane and formaldehyde.

Black Powder

Schwarzpulver; poudre noire

Black powder is a mechanical mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal, which is mostly pressed, granulated and classified into definite grain fractions. It faster deflagrates than it detonates; it is thus classified as a “low” explosive, compared to the detonating “high” explosives.

The standard composition is: 75 % potassium nitrate, 10 % sulfur and 15 % charcoal. There are also graded compositions containing 74, 70, 68 or 64 % potassium nitrate. Corresponding compositions based on sodium nitrate are known as W B-Black Powder.

The starting components are finely ground, mixed and compacted in rolling mills and then pressed into cakes in hydraulic presses. The cakes are then broken and grain-classified; the resulting granules are polished with the application of graphite.

When in granulated form, black powder can be freely poured into boreholes.

Black powder is sensitive to impact, friction, and sparks. It is suitable for controlled blastings in which the treatment of the stone must be

Blast Area*)	36

mild – e.g., in the manufacture of roofing slates, and in quarrying for paving stones.

It is employed in safety fuses, in pyrotechnics and in priming charges for smokeless powders. It is still the only suitable explosive for many purposes. It rapidly builds up pressure in relatively wear confinement. It does not detonate under normal conditions; the maximum rate of the explosion is about 500 m/s.

Blast Area*)

Sprengbereich (Absperrzone); chantier de tir

The area of a blast, including area immediately adjacent, within the influence of flying rock missiles.

Blaster*)

Sprengmeister; boutefeu

That qualified person in charge of, and responsible for, the loading and firing of a blast (same as shot firer).

Blasting Accessories*)

Sprengzubehör; accessoires pour sautage

Non-explosive devices and materials used in blasting, such as, but not limited to, cap crimpers, tamping bags, W Blasting Machines, Blasting Galvanometers, and cartridge punches.

Blasting Agents

The notion of a blasting agent’was conceived in the USA. Contrary to high explosives, which may contain, say, nitroglycerine, and which are sensitive to blasting caps, the term “blasting agents” denotes relatively low-sensitive explosives, usually based on ammonium nitrate, which are insensitive to blasting caps and do not contain any high explosives such as nitroglycerine or TNT. In many countries (but not in Germany) the safety regulations governing the transport and storage of blasting agents are considerably less severe than those applicable to high explosives. N.C.N. is designated in the USA as an ammonium nitrate non-cap-sensitive explosive. The components are named by nitro: dinitrotoluene; by carbo: solid carbon carriers as fuel; by nitrate:

* Text quoted from glossary.

37	Blasting Machines

ammonium nitrate. Meanwhile, NCN as a shipping name has been removed by the US Department of Transportation and replaced by the shipping name “Blasting Agent”. A blasting agent has to be noncapsensitive (W Cap Sensitivity). W ANFO explosives and most of W Slurries have to be classified as blasting agents.

Blasting Caps

Sprengkapseln; d´etonateurs

Blasting caps serve as initiators of explosive charges. They consist of a cylindrical copper or aluminum capsule containing a primary charge of an initiating explosive or a mixture of initiating explosives (e.g. lead azide with lead trinitroresorcinate); in order to achieve a higher brisance, they also contain a secondary charge of a highbrisance explosive (e.g. W Tetryl; W PETN; W Cyclonite).

A blasting cap can be ignited by the flame of a safety fuse or electrically. In the past, 10 standard types of blasting caps were marketed; these differed from each other by the quantity of the explosive in the charge and by their size. Currently, No. 8 blasting cap (0.3 g primary charge. 0.8 g secondary charge, 4 – 50 mm in length and 7.0 mm in external diameter) is, for all practical purposes, the main type of blasting cap on the market.

Blasting Galvanometer

W Circuit Tester.

Blasting Gelatin

Sprenggelatine; dynamite-gomme

This product is one of the strongest commercial explosives. It consists of 92 – 94 % nitroglycerine, gelatinized with 6 – 8 % soluble guncotton.

Since such a high explosive strength is rarely required, blasting gelatin is scarcely ever used in practice.

Blasting gelatin is used as a comparitive explosive in determinations of relative weight strength (W Ballistic Mortar).

Blasting Machines

Zündmaschinen; exploseurs

Blasting machines are used for electric firing of explosive charges by sending an electric pulse (indicated in mW · s/ohm) through the firing

Blasting Mat*)	38

circuit to the round of electric detonators connected in series. Except during the moment of actuation of the blasting machine, the entire electrical system is tensionless (unlike: W Blasting Switch).

In mines endangered by a potential firedamp explosion, the duration of the electric pulse must be limited to 4 ms with the aid of a triggering switch in the blasting machine, so that flying fragments cannot strike the firing circuit while the latter is still live, and then generate a shortcircuit spark. Also, the housing must withstand an internal pressure of 10 atm, so that it cannot be destroyed by a burst due to intruded methane. These special conditions are only requested in blasting areas endangered by firedamp.

Two of blasting machines exist:

1)blasting machines with direct energy supply, equipped with a selfinduction or a permanent magnet generator, which are made to rotate with the aid of a twist knob, impact knob or a spring extension, and

2)blasting machines with an indirect energy supply, in which the generated electrical energy is stored in a capacitor and, after the discharge voltage has been attained, the breakthrough pulse is sent to a blasting train (“CD Type”). A misfire due to incorrect handling is impossible.

Capacitor machines have now superseded direct-generation machines. In order to set off W Bridgewire Detonators, which are connected in parallel, the output of the machines must be particularly high, since more than 95 % of the electric energy becomes lost in the blasting circuit. Special powerful machines are required to set off “HU”-(highly unsensitive) detonators for blastings carried out in high mountain areas and in other locations endangered by high-voltage induction; a very strong (3000 mW · s/ohm) priming pulse must be applied in such cases.

W Bridgewire Detonators.

Blasting Mat*)

Sprengmatte; r´eseau de fils d’acier

A mat of woven steel wire, rope, scrap tires, or other suitable material or construction to cover blast holes for the purpose of preventing flying rock missiles.

* Text quoted from glossary.

39	Boom Powder*)

Blasting Switch

Zündschalter, commande de tir, ignition switch

Device which actuates electric primers by using main voltage – in openpit and potash mining, for example. The switch can be located in a surface stand(shelter outside a mine) e.g. if the danger of gas outbursts exists.

Blastmeter

Blastmeters are simple devices which are used to determine the maximum pressure of a shock wave (W p. 80) They consist of steel bodies into which holes of different diameters are drilled and convered with aluminum foil.

The smallest diameter is determinted at whitch the foil covering is penetrated. The device can be calibrated by static pressure.

Bomb Drop Test

Serves to test the sensitivity of military explosives as bomb fillers. Bomb drops are made using bombs assembled in the conventional manner, as for service usage, but containing either inert or simulated fuzes. The target is usually reinforced concrete.

Boom Powder*)

A pyrotechnic ignition mixture designed to produce incandescent particles. A typical boom composition is:

Ingredient	Parts
	by Weight
Iron Oxide	50
Titanium (powdered)	32.5
Zirconium (powdered)	17.5

plus about 1 part of cellulose nitrate as a binder.

* Text quoted from glossary.

Booster	40

Booster

Verstärkungsladung, relais

A device to ensure W Initiation. A booster can be a cap-sensitive cartridge or press molded cylinder for the initiation of non-cap-sensi- tive charges, e.g. blasting agents or cast TNT. A booster is, in rocketry, a rocket device that accelerates the missile to attain the required speed after the start.

Booster Sensitivity Test

The booster sensitivity test procedure is a scaled-up modification of the Bruceton method (unconfined charge). The source of the shock consists of two Tetryl pellets, each 1.57 inches in diameter and 1.60 inches long, of approximately 100 g total weight. The initial shock is degraded through wax spacers of cast Acrawax B, 1 – 5/8 inches in diameter. The test charges are 1 – 5/8 inches diameter by 5 inches long. The value given is the thickness of wax in inches at the 50 % detonation point. The weight of the Tetryl pellet noted is the minimum which will produce detonation with the spacer indicated.

Bootleg*)

Bohrlochpfeife; trou ayant fait canon

That part of a drilled blast hole that remains when the force of the explosion does not break the rock completely to the bottom of the hole (W Large Hole Blasting).

Boss*)

Messanschlüsse; raccords de mesurage

Outlets provided in the generator case for hot gas flow, igniter, pressure measurement, and safety diaphragm.

Break*)

Spalt; fente

Cleft in the rock formation, especially in coal mines, which endangers blasting in fire damp areas; W Permitted Explosives.

* Text quoted from glossary.