Dictionary of Explosives

CLASSIFICATION

Reading edition

COAL-MINE EXPLOSIVES

American Permissible Explosives.

Aetna Coal Mine Powder. Guardian.

Bental Coal Powder. Hecla No. 2.

Bituminite. Hygrade Coal Powder.

Black Diamond. Kanite.

Cameron Mine Powder. Lomite.

Carbonite. Lowinite.

Coalite. Meteor.

Coal Special. Miners’ Friend.

Collier Powder. Min-ite.

Cronite. Monobel.

Detonite. Nitro Low-Flame.

Du Pont Permissible. Red H.

Eureka. Trojan Coal Powder.

Fort Pitt Mine Powder. Tunnelite.

Fuel-ite. Vigorite.

Giant Coal Mine Powder. Xpdite.

Austrian and Hungarian.

Chloratit. Progressit.

Dynammon. Titanit.

Belgian Explosifs S.G.P.

Alsilite. Grisoutite.

Antigel de Sûreté. Ingélite.

Baelenite. Minerite.

Colinite antigrisouteuse. Minite.

Cornil. Minolite.

Densite. Pulvérite.

Dynamite antigrisouteuse. Sabulite antigrisouteuse.

Favier Explosives. Securophore.

Flammivore. Wallonite.

Forcite antigrisouteuse. Yonckite.

Fractorite. (There were also several

Grisoutine II. explosives made in Germany.)

British.

*Abbcite. *Herculite.

*Abelite. *Kent Powder.

*Ajax Powder. Kentite.

*Albionite. *Kolax.

*Amasite. *Kolax (Super-).

*Ammonal. *Kynarkite.

Ammonite. *Kynite.

*Amvis. *Melling Powder.

*Anchorite. *Mersey Powder.

*Aphosite. *Minite.

*Arkite. Monarkite.

*Barking Powder. Monobel.

Bellite. *Monobel Powder.

Bobbinite. *Nationalite.

*Britonite. Negro Powder.

*Bull Dog. *Neonal.

Cambrite. *Nitro-Densite.

*Carbonite. *Nobel Ammonia Powder.

*Celtite. *Normanite.

*Cliffite. *Oaklite.

Cliffite (Super-). *Odite.

*Clydite. *Permon Powder.

*Cornish Powder. *Permonite.

*Coronite. *Phœnix Powder.

*Curtisite. *Pit-ite.

*Curtisite (Super-). *Pitsea Powder.

Denaby Powder. Rex Powder.

*Dominite. *Rexite.

*Dragonite. *Rippite.

*Dreadnought Powder. Rippite (Super-).

Du Pont Permissible. Roburite.

*Duxite. *Russelite.

Dynobel. Samsonite.

*Electronite. *Saxonite.

Essex Powder. Seamex.

*Excellite. *Sheppey Powder.

Excellite (Super-). *Stanford Powder.

Expedite. *Steelite (Colliery).

*Faversham Powder. *St. Helen’s Powder.

Fortex (New). Stomonal.

*Fracturite. *Stow-ite.

*Gathurst Powder. *Sunderite.

*Good Luck. *Superite.

Haylite. *Swale Powder.

*Swalite. *Victorite.

*Syndite. Viking Powder.

Thames Powder. *Virite.

*Tutol. *Westfalite.

*Uplees Powder. *Withnell Powder.

*Victor Powder.

(Those marked * are not now on the Permitted List.)

French.

Favier explosives. N.

Grisounite. Naphthalite (Grisou-).

Grisoutine.

German.

Albit (Wetter-). Lignosit.

Astralit (Wetter-). Monachit.

Bautzener Sicherheits-pulver. Naphthalit.

Bavarit. Nobelit.

Cahuecit (Ammon-). Orkanit.

Carbonite. Pastanit.

Chloratzit. Permonit.

Chromamonit. Perrumpit.

Cosilit. Persalit (Wetter-).

Dahmenit. Plastomenit.

Detonit. Rhenanit (Wetter-).

Donarit. Roburite.

Dorfit. Romperit (Wetter-).

Dynamit (Wettersicheres). Salit.

Elsagit (Ammon-). Schlesit.

Foerder Sicherheitssprengstoff. Securite.

Foerdit. Siegenit.

Fulmenit (Wetter-). Teutonit.

Gehlingerit. Tremonit.

Gesilit. Tunnelit.

Glueckauf. Walsrode (Wetter-).

Kohlenkarbonit. Westfalit.

Koronit (Kohlen-). Wetter-Dynamit.

Lenit (Neu-).

BLASTING EXPLOSIVES

Aerolit. Alkalsit.

Aetna. Amasite.

Albit. Ammonal.

Ammoniakkrut. Koronit.

Anagon. L.C. Pulver.

Anilit. Leonit.

Astralit. Ligdyn.

Atlas Powder. Lignosit.

Barbarit. Lithofracteur.

Blastine. Loewenpulver.

Blasting Gelatine. Luxit.

Bomlit. M.B. Powder.

C. Marsit.

Cahuecit. Meganit.

Carbite d’Ablon. Melanite.

Carbo-Dynamite. Mercurit.

Carlsonite. Miedziankit.

Cheddite. Minolite.

Chloratzite. Mitchellite.

Cugnite. Monachit.

Dahmenite. Naphthalit.

Denaby Powder. Nitrolit.

Densite. O.

Dominit. Oakley Quarry Powder.

Donarit. Oxyliquit.

Dynamite. Pastanil.

Electronite. Peragon.

Ergite. Perchlorit.

Erin Gelignite. Perdit.

Extra Dynamite. Perilit.

Forcite. Persalit.

Fumenit. Petroklastit.

Gehlingerit. Petrolit.

Gelatinée a l’Ammoniaque. Pfalzit.

Gelatine Dynamite. Pierrite.

Gelignite. Plastammon.

Giant Powder. Plessit.

Halalite. Pniowit.

Hammonit. Polarite.

Helagon. Praeposit.

Helit. Prométhée.

Hercules Powder. Prosperit.

Imperialite. Rack-a-Rock.

Judson Powder. Raschit.

Kausolit. Red Cross.

Kinetit. Rendrock.

Kiwit. Rexol.

Rhenanit. Stonax.

Rhexit. Telsit.

Rivalit. Territ.

Rockite. Teutonit.

Romperit. Thornit.

Roslin Giant Blasting Powder. Titanite.

Sabulite. Tonite.

Saxonite. Tremonit.

Sebomite Velox Gelatine.

Sengite. Vender.

Siegenit. Vigorite.

Silesia. Vulcan Powder.

Sprengel Explosives. Wilhelmit.

Sprengsalpeter. Yonckite.

HIGH EXPLOSIVES

(For Shells and Bombs.)

Alumatol. Himalayite.

Amatol. Hudson’s Explosive.

Amatoxol. Lyddite.

Anilite. Macarite.

Astralit. Mélinite.

Baratol. Nitrolit.

Cilferite. Panclastite.

Crésylite. Perdit.

Dunnite. Plastrotyl.

Echo. Schneiderite.

Ecrasite. Shellite.

Fuellpulver. Stabilite.

Fumyl. T.N.T.

Granatfuellung. Toxol.

H.E. Triplastit.

Hellhofite.

MISCELLANEOUS EXPLOSIVES

Black Powder. Ophorite.

C.P. Pulvérin.

Centralite. Pyrocollodion.

Cheesa Sticks. Pyroxyline.

Collodion Cotton. Stabilite.

Flobert Ammunition. Tetryl.

Glonoine. White Gunpowder.

Halakite.

PROPELLANTS

(For Shot-guns.)

Amberite. Neonite.

Cannonite. New Explosives Co.’s

Clermonite. Smokeless Powder.

Cooppal’s Powder. Normal Powder.

Crystal. Plastomenit.

Du Pont Smokeless Powder. Primrose Smokeless.

E.C. Powder. Red Star.

Economic. Rifleite (Shot Gun).

Eley Smokeless Powder. Rottweil Smokeless Powder.

Empire. Ruby Powder.

Felixite. S.

Fulmen Powder. S.S.

Henrite. Schultze Powder.

Ideal Powder. Smokeless Diamond.

J. Stowmarket Smokeless.

K.S. T.

M. Troisdorf Smokeless Powder.

Mischpulver. Walsrode Shot Gun Powder.

Mullerite.

(For Rifled Fire-arms.)

Amide Powder. N.C.T.

Ammonpulver. Neonite.

Apyrite. Nitrokol.

Axite. Normal Powder.

B. P.C./88.

Ballistite. R.F.G.

Brugère’s Powder. R.L.G.

Cocao Powder. Rifleite.

Cordite. Rottweil Smokeless Powder.

C.S.P. S.K.

Filite. S.R.

Hebler Powder. S.V.

Indurite. Solenite.

Lafflin and Rand. Troisdorf Smokeless Powder.

Moddite. Wetteren.

DICTIONARY OF EXPLOSIVES

ABBCITE.—A coal-mine explosive made by Kynoch, Ltd. The original composition which passed the Woolwich Test was—

Ammonium nitrate 80

Nitroglycerine 10

Wood meal 10

To enable it to pass the Rotherham Test sodium chloride was added, and a little dinitro-toluene was also introduced—

Abbcite No. 2.

Date of Permit 3-7-15

Ammonium nitrate 58

Nitroglycerine 8·5

Wood meal 9

Dinitro-toluene 1·5

Sodium chloride 23

Limit charge 18 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·54”

The permit has now been repealed.

ABELITE.—A coal-mine explosive made by the Lancashire Explosives Co. Two formulas were approved—

No. 1. No. 4.

Date of Permit 7-4-14 15-1-15

Ammonium nitrate 68·5 67

Dinitro-benzene 7 —

Trinitro-toluene 7 14·5

Sodium chloride 17·5 7

Starch — 11·5

Limit charge 14 oz. 18 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·85” 2·79”

The permits have now been repealed.

Abelite (without distinguishing number) is simply a mixture of ammonium nitrate and trinitro-toluene—

Ammonium nitrate 83

Trinitro-toluene 17

It is therefore a variety of Bellite in which the dinitro-benzene has been replaced by trinitro-toluene. It is used for filling grenades and general blasting purposes, but is not permitted in dangerous coal mines.

AEROLIT is a Danish ammonium nitrate explosive, e.g.—

Ammonium nitrate 78·125

Potassium nitrate 7·5

Sulphur 8·75

Fat 2·5

Sago meal 1·25

Manganese dioxide 1·25

Resin 0·625

AETNA COAL POWDER is an American coal-mine powder on the Permissible List. Brands A, B and C are nitroglycerine explosives. AA and No. 2 are ammonium nitrate explosives.

AETNA POWDER.—A variety of American dynamite containing 15 to 65 per cent. of nitroglycerine mixed with wood pulp and sodium nitrate. Roasted flour has sometimes been substituted for wood pulp.

AJAX POWDER.—A coal-mine explosive made by Nobel’s Explosives Co.

Date of Permit 1-9-13

Nitroglycerine 22·3

Nitrocotton 0·7

Di- and trinitro-toluenes 3·5

Potassium perchlorate 37

Wood meal 11·5

Ammonium oxalate 25

Limit charge 12 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·69”

In 1914, 329,000 lbs. were used in coal mines, but the permit has now been repealed.

ALBIONITE.—A mixture of gelignite and ammonium oxalate. It was formerly on the Permitted List.

ALBIT.—A German chlorate explosive introduced in 1915 in consequence of the scarcity of nitrates due to the War. It is defined as consisting of not more than 80 per cent. sodium or potassium chlorate, not more than 4 per cent. nitroglycerine, and mono- or dinitro-hydrocarbons. It may also contain inorganic salts and carbon carriers such as vegetable meal, oils, soaps or carbohydrates. A variety made for use in coal mines is called Wetter-Albit or Kohlen-Albit.

ALDORFIT. See DORFIT.

ALKALSIT.—A German chlorate or perchlorate explosive made by the Dynamit A.-G. of Hamburg. It contains not more than 80 per cent. sodium or potassium chlorate, or not more than 80 per cent. sodium, potassium or ammonium perchlorate, and 19 per cent. of aromatic nitro-hydrocarbons and nitrocotton, also coal, hydrocarbons or carbohydrates, and nitrates. The chlorate mixtures must not contain ammonium salts. Alkalsit I contains not more than 27 per cent. of potassium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, not more than 24 per cent. of sodium nitrate, not more than 8 per cent. of trinitro-toluene, also wood meal, flour and nitro-naphthalene. Alkalsit A contains not more than 55 per cent. of potassium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, not more than 31 per cent. trinitro-toluene, and not more than 5 per cent. of a neutral liquid mixture of nitrated toluenes. Alkalsit B is similar except that it contains also ammonium nitrate.

ALSILITE S.G.P.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive on the list of Explosifs S.G.P. It is of the Ammonal type—

Ammonium nitrate 62

Trinitro-toluene 11

Ferro-silicon-aluminium 5

Sodium chloride 22

Charge limite 900 g.

ALUMATOL.—A mixture of ammonium nitrate, trinitro-toluene and a little aluminium powder, used for charging trench-mortar bombs, etc.

AMASITE.—A coal-mine explosive formerly on the Permitted List—

Ammonium perchlorate 34

Sodium nitrate 31

Myrobolans 34·7

Agar agar 0·3

It was made by the Société Anonyme de Vilvorde in Belgium, and was originally called Ugolite.

Rock Amasite and S.T. Amasite are non-permitted explosives of composition somewhat similar to the above.

AMATOL.—A mixture of ammonium nitrate and trinitro-toluene. The composition is shown by the figures placed after the name; thus Amatol 40/60 contains 40 per cent. ammonium nitrate and 60 per cent. trinitro-toluene, and Amatol 80/20 consists of 80 parts ammonium nitrate and 20 parts trinitro-toluene. These explosives are used very extensively for filling shell and other projectiles. The mixtures rich in trinitro-toluene can be cast after being heated to temperature above the melting-point of this constituent, but those rich in ammonium nitrate are stemmed into the projectile hot or pressed. Similar mixtures are used by the Germans and other powers under various names. In Germany it is called Füllpulver (q. v.).

AMATOXOL.—A mixture of ammonium nitrate and Toxol, which consists of trinitro-toluene and trinitro-xylene.

*AMBERITE.—A smokeless shot-gun powder made by Curtis’s and Harvey at Tonbridge. Amberite No. 1 contained nitroglycerine as well as nitrocotton and various other substances. According to “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 78, a sample of Amberite No. 2 had the composition—

Insoluble nitrocotton 18·6

Soluble ” 46·0

Nitrates of potassium and barium 28·0

Vaseline 6·0

Volatile matter 1·4

This is still on the market. It is a fibrous 42-grain bulk powder.

*AMIDE POWDER or Chilworth Special Powder was an early attempt at a smokeless powder. Under the name of Amidpulver it was used by the German artillery for some years in the ’eighties of the last century. Its composition was—

Ammonium nitrate 35-38

Potassium nitrate 40-46

Charcoal 14-22

See also Ammonpulver and Hebler Powder.

AMMONAL is a blasting explosive containing ammonium nitrate, aluminium powder, charcoal, and generally trinitro-toluene. It was patented in 1900 by G. Roth of Vienna, and the following are some of the compositions made by his firm at Felixdorf in Austria—

a b c d

Ammonium nitrate 80·75 90 88 80

Aluminium 15 4 8 18

Charcoal 4·25 6 4 2

More violent mixtures made by the same firm are—

I II

Ammonium nitrate 46 32

Trinitro-toluene 30 50

Aluminium 22 16

Charcoal 2 2

and modifications of this have been used largely in the British service. It is not suitable for use in underground workings as it forms on explosion the poisonous gas carbon monoxide, unless the proportion of ammonium nitrate be large. It has been used for charging grenades, and by the Austrians for trench howitzer bombs.

When the explosive is detonated, the aluminium is converted into the oxide, evolving no gas, but a considerable amount of heat, which increases the power of the explosive. The aluminium powder also renders the explosive easier to detonate.

Three explosives of this type passed the Woolwich Test, and were on the old Permitted List for coal mines, namely, Ammonal B, Ripping Ammonal and Saint Helen’s Powder (q. v.).

Ammonal B. Ripping Ammonal.

Ammonium nitrate 94·5 86

Aluminium 3 8

Charcoal 2·5 2·5

Potassium bichromate — 3·5

No explosives containing aluminium are on the present Permitted List.

AMMONCAHUECIT } CAHUECIT.

} See

AMMONCARBONIT } CARBONIT.

AMMONIAKKRUT was the first ammonium nitrate explosive. It was invented by J. Ohlsson and J. H. Norrbin, two Swedes, and was protected by English Patent 2766 of 1869. It consisted of ammonium nitrate together with 5 or 10 per cent. of charcoal, coal dust, etc., to which mixture was added 10 to 30 per cent. of nitroglycerine to make it less difficult to detonate.

AMMONITE is a coal-mine explosive of the Favier type, made by the Miners’ Safety Explosives Co. The original composition, which passed the Woolwich Test was—

Ammonium nitrate 88

Dinitro-naphthalene 12

To pass the more severe Rotherham Test a number of compositions have been made and approved, but some of them have been repealed. Those now on the Permitted List are—

Ammonite No. 1. Ammonite. Ammonite No. 5.

Date of Permit 29-8-14 5-11-17 2-8-18

Ammonium nitrate 74·5 73·5 74·5

Dinitro-naphthalene — 5·5 —

Trinitro-naphthalene — — 5

Trinitro-toluene 5 — —

Sodium chloride 20·5 21 20·5

Limit charge 24 18 26 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·42 2·44 2·41”

Ammonite No. 1 is used on a considerable scale in coal mines. A non-permitted explosive called Ripping Ammonite is also made.

*AMMONPULVER is a propellant which was used by the Austrians from 1890 to 1896 in guns of various calibres—

Ammonium nitrate 80-90

Charcoal 10-20

It was superseded by a powder of the ballistite type, but has been reintroduced recently by the Germans to replace a part of the charge of nitrocellulose powder in their field gun. The advantages claimed for it are small erosion of the gun, absence of muzzle flame, chemical stability, and cheapness. On the other hand, it gives high pressures, and if used by itself requires a gun with a specially large chamber; but the most serious objection to it is that on keeping, physical changes take place in the pellets, leading to the production of very high pressures. It is said that moisture promotes these changes. See also Amide Powder.

AMVIS.—A coal-mine explosive formerly on the Permitted List—

Ammonium nitrate 90

Wood meal 5

Dinitro-benzene } 5

Chlorinated naphthalene }

Neu ANAGON.—A German blasting explosive containing not more than 70 per cent. of ammonium nitrate, zinc-aluminium alloy and charcoal.

ANCHORITE.—A coal-mine explosive of the Favier type, formerly on the Permitted List. It was made by Kynoch-Arklow, Ltd.

Date of Permit 13-5-14

Ammonium nitrate 34·3

Sodium nitrate 33·3

Ammonium chloride 20·2

Trinitro-toluene 12·2

Limit charge 14 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·73”

ANILIT.—A German explosive containing not less than 70 per cent. of ammonium nitrate, not more than 5 per cent. of sugar, and copper sulphate-aniline or copper oxalate-aniline.

ANILITE.—A French liquid explosive of the Sprengel class used for aerial bombs.

ANTIGEL DE SÛRETÉ.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive—

Nitroglycerine 25

Sodium nitrate 20

Dinitro-toluene 15

Ammonium sulphate 5

Cellulose } 35

Wood meal }

The Charge limite is 900 grammes, which is equivalent to 524 grammes of dynamite No. 1. The composition is the same as that of Ingélite. It is a low-freezing nitroglycerine explosive.

APHOSITE.—A coal-mine explosive formerly on the Permitted List—

Ammonium nitrate 60

Potassium nitrate 29·5

Charcoal 4

Wood meal 4

Sulphur 2·5

*APYRITE.—A nitrocellulose smokeless powder formerly made in Sweden by the Société Grakrut.

ARKITE.—A coal-mine explosive made by Kynoch, Ltd. The original composition which passed the Woolwich Test was—

Nitroglycerine 52·5

Nitrocotton 3·5

Potassium nitrate 22

Wood meal 7

Ammonium oxalate 15

The proportions were modified, and the following passed the Rotherham Test, and was on the Permitted List—

Arkite No. 2.

Date of Permit 7-4-14

Nitroglycerine 32

Nitrocotton 1

Potassium nitrate 27

Wood meal 10

Ammonium oxalate 30

Limit charge 40 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·41”

It has now been repealed.

ASTRALIT.—An ammonium nitrate explosive containing a little blasting gelatine, made by the Dynamit A. G. Nobel of Hamburg. It has been used largely in Germany for a variety of purposes.

Astralit I and II are defined as consisting of ammonium nitrate, charcoal, vegetable meal, not more than 15 per cent. of aromatic nitro-bodies not more dangerous than trinitro-toluene, not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine; also paraffin oil.

Astralit IV consists of ammonium nitrate, not more than 10 per cent. of aromatic nitro-bodies not more dangerous than dinitro-naphthalene, vegetable meal, and not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine.

Astralit V, which has been introduced recently, contains up to 10 per cent. of potassium perchlorate in addition to ammonium nitrate, also vegetable meal, not more than 16 per cent. of aromatic nitro-compounds, and not more than 4 per cent. of nitroglycerine.

Gelatine-Astralit is a gelatinised or powdery mixture of the nitrates of ammonium and sodium (or potassium), not more than 50 per cent. of dinitro-chlorhydrin, not more than 5 per cent. of nitroglycerine, not more than 2 per cent. of collodion cotton, vegetable meal, aromatic nitro-bodies such as nitro-toluenes or nitro-naphthalenes, but not more than 4 per cent. of trinitro-toluene; also hydrocarbons.

Wetter-Astralit is a coal-mine explosive, and differs from Astralit in that part of the ammonium nitrate is replaced by sodium chloride.

Wetter-Gelatine-Astralit is also a coal-mine explosive, and differs from Gelatine-Astralit in that it contains also fatty oils and neutral salts, such as potassium chloride, sodium chloride or an oxalate.

The following percentage compositions have been given—

Astralit. Wetter- Astralit.

Nitroglycerine 4 4

Ammonium nitrate 84·5 74·5

Trinitro-toluene 7 7

Wood meal 1 1

Charcoal 1 1

Paraffin oil 2·5 2·5

Sodium chloride — 10

Gelatine- Wetter- Astralit.

Nitroglycerine 4

Dinitro-chlorhydrin 16

Nitrocotton 0·5

Ammonium nitrate 40

Sodium nitrate 7·5

Dinitro-toluene 4

Nitro-toluene 1

Wood meal 0·5

Potato meal 8

Rape oil 2

Ammonium oxalate 2·5

Sodium chloride 14

Explosives of the Astralit type have also been used extensively by the Germans for filling trench howitzer shell and similar projectiles. The following is approximately the composition used for this purpose—

Nitroglycerine 3

Nitrocotton 0·5

Ammonium nitrate 77

Trinitro-toluene 16

Wood meal 3·5

This explosive was authorised in England under the name of Australite.

ATLAS POWDER.—A brand of American straight dynamite.

AUSTRALITE. See ASTRALIT.

*AXITE. A smokeless powder made by Kynoch, Ltd., and used for sporting rifles. It is a sort of Cordite MD, with a little of the guncotton replaced by potassium nitrate, and is in the form of flat strips. A sample had the composition—

Nitroglycerine 29·7

Guncotton 63·1

Potassium nitrate 1·9

Mineral jelly 5·1

Volatile matter 0·2

*B.—Poudre B is the French service propellant. It consists of nitrocotton gelatinised with ether-alcohol, in which it is partly soluble. A little diphenylamine is added to increase the stability. Formerly, various other additions have been made. A letter or letters are added to show the size of the powder and the purpose for which it is used—

Poudre BF for rifles (from fusil).

BNF a later powder for rifles (from nouveau).

BC for field guns (from campagne).

BSP for siege howitzers (from siège et place).

BGC for larger military guns (from gros calibre).

BM for naval ordnance (from marine); a figure is added to show the size.

Further letters and figures are added to show other particulars about the powder; D₂ means 2 per cent. of diphenylamine has been added as a stabiliser, or AM₈, 8 per cent. of amyl alcohol. The place and date of manufacture are similarly indicated.

BAELENITE.—A Belgian mining explosive—

I. II.

Ammonium nitrate 85 95

Trinitro-toluene 15 5

Charge limite 0 75

It is authorised for manufacture in, or importation into the United Kingdom.

*BALLISTITE.—One of the first military smokeless powders, invented by Nobel. It consisted of about equal parts of nitroglycerine and soluble nitrocotton incorporated together under water, then passed repeatedly through rolls and cut into flakes. It was adopted by a number of Continental powers, but in consequence of the severe erosion of the guns which it caused, it has been modified or abandoned. The percentage of nitroglycerine is reduced, and consequently it is necessary to use a solvent such as acetone. A little mineral jelly or other stabiliser is sometimes added.

BARATOL.—A mixture of barium nitrate and trinitro-toluene.

BARBARIT.—A German chlorate explosive made at the Sprengstoff-fabriken Kriewald bei Gleinitz.

Potassium chlorate 90-92

High-boiling petroleum 8-10

The petroleum has a flash point not below 105° C., and commences to boil not below 242°.

Gelatine-Barbarit has the composition—

Potassium chlorate 80

Trinitro-toluene 10

Liquid mono- and dinitro-toluenes } 10

gelatinised with 5 per cent. collodion cotton}

BARKING POWDER.—A mixture of ammonium perchlorate and nitrated naphthalene, formerly used in coal mines.

BAUTZENER SICHERHEITSPULVER.—A German coal-mine explosive containing not less than 70 per cent. of ammonium nitrate, barium nitrate, and not more than 15 per cent. of trinitro-toluene.

BAVARIT.—A German coal-mine explosive similar to Grisounite. It contains 90 per cent. of ammonium nitrate together with nitrated naphthalene; charcoal may be added.

BELLITE is essentially a mixture of ammonium nitrate and metadinitro-benzene. It has been used extensively as a coal-mine explosive, and was patented by C. Lamm of Stockholm in 1885. Two varieties passed the Woolwich Test and were on the old Permitted List—

No. 1. No. 3.

Ammonium nitrate 83·5 93·5

Dinitro-benzene 16·5 6·5

No. 1 contains just enough oxygen for complete combustion, and No. 3 contains a large excess of oxygen. To enable the explosive to pass the Rotherham Test sodium chloride has been added. There were four varieties on the present Permitted List, but all except the following, No. 1, have been repealed—

No. 1.

Date of Permit 3-2-16

Ammonium nitrate 63·5

Dinitro-benzene 15

Sodium chloride 16·5

Starch 5

Limit charge 20

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·74

BENTAL COAL POWDER.—An American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is an ammonium nitrate explosive.

BITUMINITE.—There are several coal-mine explosives of this name on the American Permissible List. Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 8 L.F. are nitroglycerine explosives. No. 5 is an ammonium nitrate explosive.

BLACK DIAMOND.—There are several coal-mine explosives of this name on the American Permissible List. Nos. 2A, 3A and 6 L.F. are nitroglycerine explosives, whereas Nos. 5, 7 and 8 are ammonium nitrate explosives.

BLACK POWDER is a name for ordinary gunpowder, a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal.

BLASTINE is a high explosive having approximately the composition—

Ammonium perchlorate 60

Sodium nitrate 23

Dinitro-toluene 11

Paraffin wax 6

As the sodium nitrate in the above is not equivalent to the ammonium perchlorate, part of the chlorine is given off in the form of the poisonous gas, hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid).

BLASTING GELATINE.—Nitroglycerine, stiffened by having collodion cotton dissolved in it. Discovered by Nobel in 1875. It contains about—

Nitroglycerine 93

Collodion cotton 7

and also often a fraction of a percentage of calcium or magnesium carbonate to increase its stability. This is the most powerful of all the explosives in common use.

BOBBINITE.—The only explosive of the gunpowder class the use of which is permitted in coal mines in England. In most foreign countries explosives of this class are not allowed to be used in them at all. The permission is only temporary, but has been extended to the end of 1920, and is restricted to mines that are not gassy or dangerous from coal dust. There are two definitions, but the second is the one that is generally manufactured apparently—

First. Second.

Potassium nitrate 63·5 65

Charcoal 18·5 20

Sulphur 2 2

Sulphates of ammonium and copper 15 —

Rice or maize starch — 9

Paraffin wax — 3

Moisture 1 1

More than a million pounds of this explosive are used in coal mines every year. It shatters the coal less than high explosives do.

BOMLIT.—A German potassium perchlorate blasting explosive made by Wolff et Cie. at Walsrode. It contains also ammonium nitrate, trinitro-toluene and guncotton. Other ingredients that may be present are potassium and sodium nitrates, starch meal, vaseline, naphthalene and other hydrocarbons, charcoal and castor oil.

BRITONITE.—A coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type, made by the British Explosives Syndicate, Ltd., Pitsea. The original composition passed the Woolwich Test and was on the list of Permitted Explosives, but on the introduction of the Rotherham Test it became necessary to add ammonium oxalate or sodium chloride. Nos. 2 and 3 were on the Permitted List, but have now been repealed.

No. 2. No. 3.

Date of Permit 1-9-13 28-1-15

Nitroglycerine 26 24 24·5

Sodium nitrate — — 28

Potassium nitrate 32·7 30 —

Wood meal 41 38 35·5

Sodium carbonate 0·3 —

Ammonium oxalate — 8 —

Sodium chloride — — 12

Limit charge — 24 24 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) — 2·26 2·17”

BROWN POWDER. See COCOA POWDER.

BRUGÈRE’S POWDER consisted of—

Ammonium picrate 54

Potassium nitrate 46

It was stated to give good results in the Chassepôt rifle, but picrate mixtures are liable to detonate, and are therefore dangerous to use as propellants.

BULL DOG Gunpowder Pellets were used in coal mines. They contained the same constituents as Bobbinite, which superseded them, but in different proportions.

Explosifs C were mixtures of ammonium cresylate with ammonium or sodium nitrate. They were made in France at one time, but their manufacture was dropped, as they were more expensive to make than Grisounite, and no more powerful.

CAHUECIT.—This was invented in the ’seventies of the last century by R. Cahuc, and was manufactured at Dartford in Kent under the name of Safety Blasting Powder or Carboazotine. It is still made in Germany. The ingredients are—

English. German.

Potassium nitrate 64 70

Sulphur flowers 12 12

Lampblack or soot 7 8

Bark or wood pulp 17 10

to which are added a few per cent. of sulphate of iron. The incorporation is carried out with the assistance of a considerable quantity of water, which is afterwards evaporated off. The mixing is not very thorough. The explosive is a comparatively mild one, but is used sometimes for blasting basalt. In the German explosive the potassium nitrate may be replaced by the corresponding sodium salt.

AMMONCAHUECIT.—In this explosive the potassium nitrate is replaced mainly or wholly by ammonium nitrate, and it contains not more than 15 per cent. of trinitro-toluene or trinitro-naphthalene or other nitro-body.

The brand labelled “Fram” contains ammonium nitrate, not more than 25 per cent. of trinitro-toluene gelatinised with 4 per cent. collodion cotton, wood meal or other vegetable meal and neutral stable salts. The brand “Indra” is similar, except that it contains also not more than 10 per cent. potassium nitrate, and the percentage of trinitro-toluene may be raised to 20.

CAMBRITE is a coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type made by Nobels at Ardeer. It consists practically of Nobel Carbonite, to which 8 per cent. of a cooling agent has been added. Unlike most of the explosives on the old Permitted List, it passed the Rotherham Test with practically no alteration—

Cambrite. No. 2.

Date of Permit 1-9-13 1-4-15

Nitroglycerine 23 23

Barium nitrate 4 4

Potassium nitrate 27·5 27·5

Wood meal 37·2 37

Calcium carbonate 0·3 0·5

Ammonium oxalate 8 —

Potassium chloride — 8

Limit charge 30 24 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 1·98 2·00”

Only No. 2 is now on the Permitted List.

CAMERON MINE POWDER.—There are a number of coal-mine explosives of this name on the American Permissible List. Nos. 1a, 2a and 2a LF are ammonium nitrate explosives, whereas Nos. 3a and 5a are nitroglycerine explosives.

*CANNONITE was a smokeless powder made by a firm called the War and Sporting Smokeless Powder Syndicate, Ltd. It consisted of about 86 per cent. of nitrocellulose mostly insoluble in ether-alcohol, and a few per cent. of barium nitrate, together with small quantities of some of the following: potassium nitrate, charcoal, lampblack, vaseline, rosin, stearine, dinitro-benzene, trinitro-toluene, potassium ferro-cyanide, graphite. For shot-guns the powder was of the forty-two grain type, dense and gelatinised. The rifle powder was colloidal. These powders were made in the ’nineties of the last century.

CARBITE D’ABLON is a sort of Carbonite made in France—

Nitroglycerine 26

Potassium nitrate 33

Wood meal or flour 41

CARBOAZOTINE. See CAHUECIT.

CARBO-DYNAMITE was an explosive patented by W. D. Borland. It differed from ordinary dynamite in that the nitroglycerine was absorbed in cork charcoal instead of kieselguhr. One part of the charcoal sufficed to absorb nine parts of nitroglycerine.

CARBONITE (or Karbonit) was one of the earliest and one of the most successful coal-mine explosives. It was first made by Bichel and Schmidt at Schlebusch in Germany in 1885, and after some modifications gave satisfactory results at the Neunkirchen testing station in 1887. It contains about 26 per cent. of nitroglycerine, 33 per cent. of a nitrate, and 40 per cent. of wood meal or starch flour, and small quantities of other substances. Nobel Carbonite passed the Woolwich Test and had the composition—

Nitroglycerine 26

Barium nitrate 4

Potassium nitrate 29

Wood meal 40·5

“Sulphuretted benzol” 0·25

Sodium and calcium carbonates 0·25

The Carbonite made at the works of the Carbonite Syndicate at Schlebusch, and imported into Great Britain, was practically the same as this, but they also made another explosive which passed the Woolwich Test, and contained 35 per cent. of nitroglycerine gelatinised with nitrocotton, and smaller proportions of nitrates and wood meal than are given above: this was called Extra-Carbonite. They have also made explosives to numerous modifications of this formula for use on the Continent. The essential feature of all of them is that they contain so much of the combustible constituents, such as wood meal, that most of the carbon appears in the products of explosion as carbon monoxide, and the temperature of the gases is consequently low.

Nobels at Ardeer also made a low freezing explosive in which part of the nitroglycerine was replaced by a nitro-compound. This was called Arctic Carbonite—

Nitroglycerine 15·5

Nitro-hydrocarbon 10·5

Potassium nitrate 42

Wood meal 31·7

Calcium carbonate 0·3

Various manufacturers have made explosives of the type of Carbonite and placed them on the market under different names, such as Tutol, Kolax, Kohlen-Carbonite, Minite and Colinite. These, however, do not pass the Rotherham Test for Permitted Explosives, unless ammonium oxalate or other cooling agent be added, as in the case of Cambrite, Super-Kolax and Britonite No. 2.

On the Continent, explosives similar to Arctic Carbonite have been produced under the names Antigel de Sûreté and Ingélite.

There are several Carbonites on the American Permissible List. Of these Nos. 1 to 4 are in order of diminishing violence: Nos. 5 and 6 are low freezing varieties. There are also a number of other explosives of the Carbonite type on the List.

Ammonkarbonit is a German coal-mine explosive, containing about 80 per cent. of ammonium nitrate and 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine, together with 5 or 10 per cent. of potassium nitrate, and a combustible such as flour, starch or coal dust. Sodium or potassium chloride may be added as a cooling agent. It has been used for blasting clay.

Gelatine-Karbonit is a Carbonite containing ammonium nitrate, and a considerable proportion of nitroglycerine gelatinised with collodion cotton.

Halokarbonit is similar to Ammonkarbonit, except that a considerable proportion of the ammonium nitrate is replaced by other nitrates.

CARLSONITE was the first ammonium perchlorate explosive submitted to H.M. Inspectors of Explosives. It was proposed in 1898 by Carlson of Stockholm, and some of the mixtures were reported on favourably, but no licence was ever taken out in the United Kingdom for this explosive.

C.E. (Composition Exploding) is the same as Tetryl.

CELTITE was a coal-mine explosive made by Dr. R. Nahnsen & Co., Hamburg, and formerly permitted for use in British coal mines, having passed the Woolwich Test.

Nitroglycerine 57

Nitrocotton 3

Potassium nitrate 19

Wood meal 9

Ammonium oxalate 12

It was also called Zeltit.

*CENTRALITE is not an explosive, but is a name given to a substance which has been used to modify the surface of smokeless powder, and make it burn progressively. The substance is dimethyl-diphenyl-urea. (See Brit. Pat. 29,882 of 1909.) It acts also as a stabiliser.

CHEDDITE is a chlorate explosive which has been rendered less sensitive by having the particles of chlorate coated with castor oil or paraffin wax. It is manufactured by the French Government at the Vonges Powder Works, and has also been made in other countries. The two types that have been most used in France are—

O2 or No. 4. O5 or No. 1.

Potassium chlorate 79 —

Sodium chlorate — 79

Castor oil 5 5

Mononitro-naphthalene 1 —

Dinitro-toluene 15 16

*CHEESA STICKS are sticks of cordite coated with powdered ammonium oxalate and shellac. They are used in South Africa as fuses for blasting charges. They are authorised in England only for manufacture and immediate export.

*CHILWORTH SMOKELESS POWDER. See C.S.P.

*CHILWORTH SPECIAL POWDER. See AMIDE POWDER.

CHLORATIT is an Austrian explosive, which was permitted for use in coal mines during the War.

CHLORATZIT.—A German explosive containing potassium chlorate or perchlorate, aromatic nitro-bodies, resins and carbohydrates. For use in coal mines neutral salts are added as cooling agents, and the name then has WETTER or KOHLEN prefixed to it.

CHROMAMONIT was a coal-mine explosive formerly made in Germany—

Ammonium nitrate 63·25

Potassium nitrate 17·5

Collodion cotton 9·25

Chromium ammonium alum 9·5

Vaseline 0·5

*CLERMONITE.—A Belgian shot-gun powder made by the Cooppal Co. It is a 40-grain fibrous powder of the bulk type and coloured green.

CLIFFITE was a coal-mine explosive made by Curtis’s and Harvey, and formerly on the Permitted List—

Nitroglycerine 47

Collodion cotton 3

Starch 50

SUPER-CLIFFITE differs considerably from this. There are two formulæ which have passed the Rotherham Test, but only No. 2 is still on the Permitted List—

No. 1. No. 2.

Date of Permit 21-9-16 21-9-16

Nitroglycerine 9·5 9·5

Collodion cotton 0·5 0·5

Ammonium nitrate 59 59·5

Wood meal 6 6

Sodium chloride 15 19·5

Ammonium oxalate 10 5

Limit charge 26 30 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·53 2·53”

CLYDITE was a coal-mine explosive formerly made by Nobels at Ardeer. It was similar to Nobel Carbonite, but the potassium nitrate was replaced by the barium salt, and it might contain up to 8 per cent. of ammonium oxalate.

COALITE.—There is a series of coal-mine explosives of this name on the American Permissible List. Varieties X, 3X, and 3XC are ammonium nitrate explosives; whereas 1, 2D, 2DL and 2MLF are nitroglycerine explosives.

COAL SPECIAL are American coal-mine explosives on the Permissible List. They are all nitroglycerine explosives.

COCOA POWDER or Brown Powder was a variety of gunpowder made with a brown charcoal prepared from straw—

Potassium nitrate 79

Sulphur 3

Straw charcoal 18

It was compressed to a density of 1·8 into prisms or grains of considerable size, and was used in guns of large calibre. E.X.E. and S.B.C. were special varieties of this.

COLINIT ANTIGRISOUTEUSE.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type. The ordinary formula is practically the same as that of Kohlencarbonite and Minerite. Type B consists of—

Blasting gelatine 26

Potassium perchlorate 6

Ammonium nitrate 20

Trinitro-toluene 12

Rye flour and cellulose 29

Magnesium sulphate 7

COLLIER POWDER.—There are a number of coal-mine explosives of this name on the American Permissible List. Varieties BNF, KN, X, XLF, 5, 5LF, 5 Special, 9, 11, and 11LF are ammonium nitrate explosives whereas 2 and 6LF are nitroglycerine explosives.

COLLODION COTTON is a variety of nitrocotton of low nitration, almost completely soluble in a mixture of ether and alcohol. It contains not more than 12·3 per cent. of nitrogen. It also dissolves in nitroglycerine and liquid nitro-compounds, rendering them gelatinous and so preventing their exudation.

*COOPPAL’S POWDER.—A Belgian smokeless shot-gun powder. Formerly it was much the same as Schultze Powder, consisting of nitrolignin carefully purified, and mixed with nitrates with or without the addition of starch. The following analyses were published in “Arms and Explosives” for July 1917—

No. 1. 1892. Fibrous 42-grain bulk. No. 2. 1900. Gelatinised 30-grain dense.

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 13·0 71·1

” soluble 60·5 20·1

Metallic nitrates 21·3 2·0

Shellac 3·2 —

Nitro-hydrocarbons — 5·5

Moisture 2·0 1·3

CORDITE is the principal smokeless powder of the British Services. It was originally adopted in 1888, and is made by mixing nitroglycerine with guncotton and mineral jelly (a sort of crude vaseline), and incorporating them together with the aid of acetone, which gelatinises the guncotton. In consequence of the severe erosion of the guns experienced during the South African War the proportions were altered, some of the nitroglycerine being replaced by guncotton. The propellant thus “modified” is called Cordite M.D., whereas that of the original composition is Cordite Mk.I. Both are still in use, especially M.D.—

Mk. I. M.D.

Guncotton 37 65

Nitroglycerine 58 30

Mineral jelly 5 5

During the great European War a further variety was introduced to extend the basis of supply of solvents. This is called Cordite R.D.B. (Research Department B), and contains a nitrocotton of comparatively low nitration that can be gelatinised by means of a mixture of ether and alcohol—

Nitrocotton 52

Nitroglycerine 42

Mineral jelly 6

It is designed to give about the same ballistics as Cordite M.D. A further letter is sometimes added to show the form of the powder. Thus Cordite M.D.T. is M.D. pressed into tubes; S. stands for strip. The size is indicated by a numeral, which shows the diameter in hundredths of an inch of the die through which it has been pressed. In the case of tubular powder both the external and internal diameters are given approximately: e. g. Cordite M.D.T. 5-2.

Poudre blanche CORNIL.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive containing ammonium nitrate, potassium or sodium nitrate, dinitro-naphthalene and lead chromate, with or without the addition of ammonium chloride.

CORNISH POWDER.—A coal-mine explosive which passed the Woolwich Test and was formerly on the Permitted List, made by the National Explosives Co., Ltd.—

Nitroglycerine 55

Nitrocotton 3

Potassium nitrate 18

Wood meal 7

Magnesium sulphate 17

CORONITE was a coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type, which was on the Permitted List at one time. It had also been called Permittite.

Picric acid has been called by this name in Sweden.

See also XPDITE.

EXPLOSIFS N, O, etc. See under respective letters.

EXTRA DYNAMITE is a variety of American dynamite containing ammonium nitrate.

FAVERSHAM POWDER is a coal-mine explosive of the Grisounite type made by the Cotton Powder Co. The mixture, which was on the old Permitted List, had the composition—

Ammonium nitrate 90

Trinitro-toluene 10

To make it pass the Rotherham Test, part of the ammonium nitrate was replaced by potassium nitrate, and ammonium chloride was added—

No. 2.

Date of Permit 10-2-14

Ammonium nitrate 47·5

Potassium nitrate 24

Ammonium chloride 18·5

Trinitro-toluene 10

Limit charge 24 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·61”

but this also has now been repealed.

FAVIER explosives consist essentially of ammonium nitrate mixed with nitro-compounds. Favier took out patents in 1884 and 1885 for mixtures of ammonium nitrate with mononitro-naphthalene, paraffin and resin. Their manufacture was undertaken soon afterwards by the French Government, and is still continued under the names of Explosifs N, or Explosifs Favier or Grisounites. Their composition has been varied from time to time, but the following are those now authorised—

Grisou- naphtalite- couche. Grisou- naphtalite- roche Grisou- tetrylite- couche. For mines free from fire-damp, etc.

N₁a. N₄. N₁b. N₁c.

Ammonium nitrate 95 90 91·5 86·5 88 87·4

Potassium nitrate — 5 — 5 5 —

Dinitro-naphthane — — 8·5 8·5 — 12·6

Trinitro-naphthalene 5 5 — — — —

Tetryl — — — — 7 —

The Grisounites-couche are used in the coal seams as they have theoretical temperatures of explosion of 1500° or less, but N₁a has been replaced to a considerable extent by N₄, because the presence of a proportion of potassium nitrate is found to increase the safety; these are both coloured green. The Grisounites-roche have theoretical temperatures of explosion of 1900° or less, and are used in the rocks in coal mines. N₁b is dyed rose colour, and N₁c pale yellow.

Many explosives of this type are in use in different countries. On the old British Permitted List were Ammonite, Westfalite, Bellite and Roburite amongst others. Those now on the List contain ammonium or sodium chloride to enable them to pass the Rotherham Test, e.g. the later Ammonites, Bellite Nos. 2 and 4, Faversham Powder and Negro Powder.

On the Belgian list of Explosifs S.G.P. is Favier II bis—

Ammonium nitrate 77·6

Dinitro-naphthalene 2·4

Ammonium chloride 20

Charge limite More than 293 grammes.

FAVORIT. See KORONIT.

*FELIXITE is a smokeless shot-gun powder introduced in 1906 by the New Explosives Company. It is a fibrous 42-grain bulk powder, and, according to an analysis published in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 76, has the composition—

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 40·5

” soluble 20·5

Metallic nitrates 30·0

Nitro-compound 5·0

Vaseline 2·7

Moisture 1·3

*FILITE was a smokeless powder formerly used in the Italian services. It was a Ballistite consisting generally of equal parts of nitroglycerine and collodion cotton, to which 0·5 to 1 per cent. of aniline or diphenylamine was added as a stabiliser. It was gelatinised with a solvent and drawn out into cords.

FLAMMIVORE.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive made at Arendonck—

O. I.

Ammonium nitrate 70 Blasting gelatine 4

Barium nitrate 15 Ammonium nitrate 82

Cellulose 5 Potassium nitrate 10

Dinitro-toluene 10 Rye flour 4

Charge limite 100g. Charge limite 500g.

III.

Nitroglycerine 6

Ammonium nitrate 70

Ammonium sulphate 9

Barium sulphate 7

Dextrin 8

Charge limite 650g.

In the United Kingdom this is “authorised” but not “permitted” for use in dangerous mines.

FLOBERT ammunition consists of small cartridges, like detonators, charged with a small quantity of mercury fulminate, and some antimony sulphide and potassium chlorate. It is used for target practice and shooting small birds.

FOERDER SICHERHEITSSPRENGSTOFF.—A German coal-mine explosive containing ammonium nitrate, not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine, mono- and di-nitro-aromatic compounds, vegetable meal and neutral salts.

FOERDIT.—A German coal-mine explosive containing nitroglycerine gelatinised or ungelatinised, carbohydrates, glycerine, nitro-compounds, inorganic nitrates and sodium or potassium chloride.

Ammon-Foerdit is a similar mixture, except that it contains a larger percentage of ammonium nitrate and no other inorganic nitrates. The nitroglycerine is gelatinised, and there is a little diphenylamine. The following are examples of these two explosives—

Foerdit. Ammon-Foerdit.

Nitroglycerine 25·5 3·8

Collodion cotton 1·5 0·2

Ammonium nitrate 37 85

Nitro-toluene 5 —

Dextrine or flour 4 4

Glycerine 3 2

Diphenylamine — 1

Potassium chloride 24 4

Ammon-Foerdit F, which has been introduced recently, contains up to 10 per cent. of potassium perchlorate and is similar to Astralit V.

FORCITE.—A variety of gelatine dynamite or gelignite made in Belgium. It contains blasting gelatine 36 to 64 per cent., sodium or ammonium nitrate, wood meal, magnesia and sometimes bran.

An American explosive of the same name is a dynamite containing wood tar—

Nitroglycerine 49

Collodion cotton 1

Sodium nitrate 38

Sulphur 1·5

Wood tar 10

Wood pulp 0·5

FORCITE ANTIGRISOUTEUSE 3.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type—

Nitroglycerine 26

Potassium nitrate 33

Barium nitrate 1

Rye flour 38·5

Bran 1

Sodium carbonate 0·5

Charge limite 750g.

FORTEX.—A coal-mine explosive made by Explosives and Chemical Products, Ltd. The mixture, which was on the old Permitted List, was—

Ammonium nitrate 78·5

Tetryl 21·5

NEW FORTEX.—A modification of the above to pass the Rotherham Test—

Date of Permit 25-11-13

Ammonium nitrate 35

Potassium nitrate 33

Tetryl 12

Ammonium chloride 20

Limit charge 10 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·61”

FORT PITT MINE POWDER NO. 1 is an American coal-mine powder on the Permissible List. It is a nitroglycerine explosive.

FRACTORITE.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive—

B. D.

Ammonium nitrate 75 Ammonium nitrate 75

Dinitro-naphthalene 2·8 Sodium nitrate 10

Ammonium oxalate 2·2 Nitroglycerine 4

Ammonium chloride 20 Ammonium oxalate 7

Flour 4

Charge limite 450 g. Charge limite 700 g.

FRACTURITE.—A coal-mine explosive formerly on the Permitted List, made by the British Explosives Syndicate, Ltd.—

Nitroglycerine 52·5

Collodion cotton 3·5

Potassium nitrate 23

Wood meal 6

Ammonium oxalate 15

FUEL-ITE.—There is a series of coal-mine explosives of this name on the American Permissible List. Nos. 1 and 2 are nitroglycerine explosives of the Carbonite type. No. 3 is an ammonium nitrate explosive.

FUELLPULVER (or FP.) is the name given by the Germans to mixtures of trinitro-toluene and ammonium nitrate used for filling shell. Fp. 60/40, for instance, is a mixture of 60 parts trinitro-toluene and 40 parts of ammonium nitrate, and is consequently the same as Amatol 40/60. Fp. without figures stands for trinitro-toluene.

*FULMEN POWDER is a 33-grain smokeless powder for shot-guns made by the Schultze Gunpowder Co.

FULMENIT.—A blasting explosive made by the German Nobel Co., containing ammonium nitrate, vegetable meal or charcoal, paraffin oil, trinitro-toluene and guncotton.

WETTER-FULMENIT is a coal-mine explosive which has been much used. It differs from the above in containing also sodium or potassium chloride—

Fulmenit. Wetter-Fulmenit.

Ammonium nitrate 86·5 76 76·5

Guncotton 4 0·5 4

Trinitro-toluene 5·5 11·8 5·5

Charcoal 1·5 1·5 1·5

Paraffin oil 2·5 0·2 2·5

Sodium chloride — 10 10

FUMYL.—A smoke-producing explosive containing trinitro-toluene and ammonium chloride, used for opening poison-gas shell, etc.

GATHURST POWDER.—An explosive of the Grisounite class. According to an analysis given in Cundill and Thomson’s Dictionary it consisted of—

Ammonium nitrate 83·4

Dinitro-benzene 16·5

Moisture 0·1

GEHLINGERIT.—A German blasting explosive. Gesteins-Gehlingerit III. contains—

Ammonium nitrate 80

Trinitro-toluene 15

Flour 5

Wetter-Gehlingerit, which is a coal-mine explosive, contains also sodium or potassium chloride, and may contain up to 4 per cent. of nitroglycerine to increase its sensitiveness.

GELATINÉ À L’AMMONIAQUE.—A Belgian explosive, a mixture of blasting gelatine and ammonium nitrate.

GELATINE DYNAMITE is a mixture of blasting gelatine, potassium nitrate and a little wood meal. That made in Britain must contain between 70 and 77 per cent. of nitroglycerine; it may contain up to 2 per cent. of calcium or magnesium carbonate, or 1/2 per cent. of mineral jelly as a stabiliser. The following may be taken as an example of its composition—

Nitroglycerine 74·5

Collodion cotton 5·5

Wood meal 4

Potassium nitrate 15·5

Calcium carbonate 0·2

Moisture 0·3

In America brands are made of 35 to 80 per cent. strength.

GELIGNITE is similar to Gelatine Dynamite except that it contains a smaller proportion of blasting gelatine; in Britain the percentage of nitroglycerine must be between 56 and 63, e. g.—

Nitroglycerine 61

Collodion cotton 4·5

Wood meal 7

Potassium nitrate 27

Calcium carbonate 0·2

Moisture 0·3

There are also a number of modified Gelignites, which either contain sodium or barium nitrate in partial or entire replacement of the potassium nitrate, or else contain some substance to reduce the freezing point of the nitroglycerine and so diminish the danger of freezing, such as dinitro- or trinitro-toluene or dinitro-glycol.

GESILIT.—A German coal-mine explosive made by Nahnsen. It contains blasting gelatine, inorganic nitrates, sodium chloride, carbohydrates and dinitro-toluene—

I. II. III.

Blasting gelatine 30·75 30·75 32·5

Ammonium nitrate — 22 22

Sodium nitrate 18 — —

Dinitro-toluene 5·25 5·25 5·25

Dextrin 39 21 —

Pea flour — — 20

Sodium chloride 7 21 20·25

When tested in a gallery with an explosive gas mixture I. proved to be safer than the other two.

GIANT COAL-MINE POWDERS are American coal-mine explosives on the Permissible List. No. 5 is an ammonium nitrate explosive, whereas Nos. 6, 7 and 8 are low-grade dynamites mixed with hydrated salts.

GIANT POWDER is a name given in America to dynamite. No. 1 is a kieselguhr dynamite containing about 75 per cent. of nitroglycerine. Many varieties, however, do not contain kieselguhr, but consist of nitroglycerine mixed with wood pulp, sodium or potassium nitrate, resin, sulphur or other combustible matter. The nitroglycerine is sometimes gelatinised with collodion cotton, or in the “Extra” varieties is partially replaced by ammonium nitrate.

GLONOINE was an early name for nitroglycerine.

GLUECKAUF.—A German explosive of the Grisounite type consisting of ammonium nitrate and vegetable meal, to which might be added any of the following: sugar, resin, fatty oil, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, dinitro-benzene, ammonium oxalate, copper oxalate, copper nitrate ammonia, or sodium chloride. It was used for a time by several potash mines; was given up again by most of them.

GOOD LUCK was an explosive made by the Sprengstoffwerke Glueckauf A.-G., and was on the old British Permitted List for coal-mine explosives. It had the composition—

Ammonium nitrate 82·5

Dinitro-benzene 1

Turmeric 10·5

Copper oxalate 6

GRANATFUELLUNG (i. e. Shell-filling) is a name given by the Germans to certain high explosives used for filling shell. Granatfuellung C/88 is picric acid, and C/02 is trinitro-toluene. See Fuellpulver. Other substances used in German shell and bombs are trinitro-anisole, dinitro-benzene, hexanitro-diphenylamine and hexanitro-diphenyl sulphide, otherwise picryl sulphide.

GRISOUNITE.—A French coal-mine explosive. See FAVIER Explosives.

GRISOUTINE or GRISOU-DYNAMINE is the only explosive except Grisounite allowed in the more dangerous French coal mines. It consists of ammonium nitrate mixed with blasting gelatine. As the State monopoly does not extend to explosives containing nitroglycerine, it is made by private firms, but the compositions are regulated by the “Commission des Substances Explosives,” which in 1911 resolved that they should be uniformly as follows—

Couche Couche au Salpêtre. Roche. Roche au Salpêtre.

Nitroglycerine 12 12 29 29

Collodion cotton 0·5 0·5 1 1

Ammonium nitrate 87·5 82·5 70 65

Potassium nitrate — 5 — 5

The calculated temperatures of explosion of the Grisoutines couches are below 1500°, and those of the Grisoutines roches below 1900°. The addition of 5 per cent. of potassium nitrate is found to increase the safety.

There are a number of explosives of this type made in other countries also, but they usually contain small proportions of combustible substances such as wood meal, and nitro-bodies such as trinitro-toluene. Of British explosives of this type, mention may be made of Monobel, Super-Excellite and Monarkite. German explosives of this sort include Salit, Tremonit, Donarit, Ammon-Karbonit and Astralit.

On the Belgian list of Explosifs S.G.P. is Grisoutine II., which is identical in composition with Dynamite anti-grisouteuse V.

GRISOUTITE.—A Belgian coal-mine explosive—

Nitroglycerine 44

Magnesium sulphate 44

Cellulose 12

Charge limite 300 g.

GUARDIAN.—American coal-mine explosives. Nos. 2, 2X, 3 and 3X are ammonium nitrate explosives, whereas Guardian A and Guardian Coal Powder B are nitroglycerine explosives.

GUNCOTTON.—A highly nitrated cotton containing about 13 per cent. of nitrogen and only slightly soluble in ether-alcohol.

GUNPOWDER. See BLACK POWDER.

*HALAKITE attracted public attention out of all proportion to its merits, of which it possessed none, in consequence of the extravagant claims made on its behalf by its “inventors” and their dupes. Early in 1917 the British Government caused an inquiry to be held, and the case for the explosive collapsed in a ludicrous manner. According to patent specification, No. 685 of 1915, the basis of the explosive was an admixture of lead nitrate with glycerine and other substances, and under the working conditions the glycerine was said to react with the nitrate to form a nitro-compound, which, of course, is not true. The substance actually submitted to the British and French authorities consisted of cordite mixed with lead nitrate, barium nitrate and lead chromate. This was stated by the promoters to be equally effective as a high explosive and a propellant! See “Interim and Final Reports of the Army Council (Halakite) Inquiry,” Cd. 8446.

HALALIT.—A German blasting explosive made by Nahnsen, containing not more than 65 per cent. of potassium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, and not more than 32 per cent. of nitrated toluene, of which not more than 20 per cent. must be trinitro-toluene. It may also contain collodion cotton to gelatinise the liquid nitro-toluene, and sodium nitrate and wood meal or other vegetable meal.

Ammon-Halalit A, which has been introduced recently, is similar to Astralit V.

HALOKLASTIT. See PETROKLASTIT.

HAMMONIT.—A German blasting explosive containing not more than 40 per cent. of potassium or sodium perchlorate, not more than 4 per cent. of nitroglycerine, aromatic nitro-bodies, ammonium nitrate, sodium or potassium nitrate, neutral salts and vegetable meal or other combustible matter.

HASSIA-CHLORAT is an explosive that was introduced in Germany during the War. It consists of 65 per cent. potassium chlorate and 35 per cent. combustible, and it is claimed that the large proportion of the latter not only makes it a mild explosive, but also renders it comparatively insensitive. It is also called Spreng-chlorat.

HAYLITE.—A coal-mine explosive made by the National Explosives Co. There were three varieties on the Permitted List: No. 1 was also on the old Permitted List, but has now been repealed.

No. 1. No. 2. No. 3.

Date of Permit 1-9-13 21-11-16 30-5-18

Nitroglycerine 26 15·5 9·5

Collodion cotton 1 0·3 —

Ammonium nitrate — — 60·5

Potassium nitrate 20 — —

Sodium nitrate — 59·5 —

Barium nitrate 20 — —

Trinitro-toluene — 5 —

Mineral jelly 7 — —

Wood meal 15 7·7 5·5

Sodium chloride — — 19·5

Ammonium oxalate 11 — 5

Borax — 12 —

Limit charge 10 18 16 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·18 1·96 2·44”

H.E. stands for High Explosive, used for charging shell or other military purpose.

*HEBLER POWDER was a so-called smokeless powder which was manufactured at one time in Switzerland. According to an analysis published by Cundill and Thomson, it was ordinary gunpowder in which about a fifth of the saltpetre had been replaced by ammonium nitrate. It did not appear to have a greater tendency to absorb moisture than ordinary powder. It was also called Wellite. See also Ammonpulver.

HECLA NO. 2 is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is an ammonium nitrate explosive made by the Du Pont Co.

HECLA POWDER is a brand of American dynamite.

HELAGON is a German perchlorate explosive made by the Köln-Rottweil Pulverfabriken. It contains not more than 10 per cent. of potassium perchlorate, not more than 5 per cent. of zinc-aluminium alloy, aromatic nitro-bodies and neutral nitrates, excepting those of potassium and barium. It may also contain flour or potato meal and neutral substances.

HELIT is a similar explosive to Helagon, except that it contains dinitro-chlorhydrin, not more than 6 per cent., in the place of the zinc-aluminium alloy.

HELLHOFITE} HELLITE} are different names for what is practically the same explosive of the Sprengel type. It consists of a mixture of strong nitric acid and various nitro-compounds, e.g.—

Dinitro-benzene 1 Nitro-benzene 1

Nitric acid 1·5 Nitric acid 2·5

A form of this explosive was tried by Gruson as a charge for shell many years ago. See also Panclastite.

*HENRITE is a smokeless shot-gun powder of the fibrous 33-grain bulk type. A sample examined in 1902 had the composition—

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 71·0

” soluble 7·1

Metallic nitrates 7·5

Nitro-compounds 7·6

Paraffin 5·5

Moisture 1·3

HERCULES POWDER.—The name of a brand of American dynamite.

HERCULITE.—This name has been given to several explosives. One was a mixture of sawdust, camphor, potassium nitrate and other substances, which was used for blasting. There was a coal-mine explosive of this name on the Permitted List, made by the British Explosives Syndicate, Ltd.—

Date of Permit 22-6-14

Nitroglycerine 33

Collodion cotton 1

Potassium perchlorate 27

Wood meal 10

Ammonium oxalate 29

Limit charge 16 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·72”

but the permit has been repealed.

HIMALAYITE.—A high explosive made from potassium chlorate, potato starch and a drying oil. The chlorate and starch are first heated together with water, and when dry the oil is mixed in. The explosive is said to have been adopted by the Portuguese for filling shell. It passed the chemical tests in England, but no licence was taken out for its manufacture.

HUDSON’S EXPLOSIVE.—A stiff blasting gelatine made by incorporating nitroglycerine and collodion cotton together with the aid of acetone. It was tried in America in 1889 for filling shell, but is not used now for this purpose.

HYGRADE COAL POWDER NO. 2 is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is a nitroglycerine explosive.

*IDEAL POWDER is a shot-gun powder made by Nobels.

IMPERIALITE is of no practical importance, but is interesting, as its history is that of the explosive one meets in the comic papers. The Marquis R. Imperiali had large private means and some knowledge of chemistry. He took out patents for a number of explosive mixtures and built a small factory in N. Italy, which started work in 1911. An explosion occurred the first day and killed five of the fifteen workers. Imperiali escaped and re-erected his factory. The day after it was restarted it blew up again and Imperiali was killed. The composition of the explosive that was being made is not known, but several of the mixtures for which Imperiali had taken out patents were decidedly dangerous.

*INDURITE was a smokeless powder patented by C. E. Munroe in 1893. It was made by incorporating guncotton with nitro-benzene to a hard mass. It was used for a time in the American Navy. Samples made in 1891 were still stable apparently in 1914, but some cases of instability occurred and it was given up.

INGÉLITE is the same in composition as ANTIGEL DE SÛRETÉ.

*Poudre J.—A French smokeless powder used for shot-guns and revolvers. Its composition is—

Nitrocotton 83

Ammonium bichromate 14

Potassium bichromate 3

Moisture about 3

It is incorporated with the aid of ether-alcohol and pressed into strips, which are cut into cubes and then converted into grains of irregular shape. The fine siftings are used for revolver and practice ammunition.

JUDSON POWDER.—A mild blasting explosive used in America. It is a sort of crude gunpowder coated with nitroglycerine to increase the violence of the explosion. The percentage of nitroglycerine may vary from 5 to 20, but is generally near the lower limit. Judson Powder R.R.P. has the composition—

Nitroglycerine 5 Nitroglycerine 5

Sodium nitrate 64 or Sulphur, coal and resin 35

Sulphur 16 Sodium nitrate 60

Cannel coal 15

The sodium nitrate is mixed with the combustibles and the mixture is heated beyond the melting-point of the sulphur and resin. The slightly porous mass thus formed is then coated with nitroglycerine. The explosive is fired with a priming cartridge of dynamite. The following four grades are made by the Du Pont Co.—

FFF 20 % nitroglycerine

FF 15 ”

F 10 ”

RRP 5 ”

KANITE A is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is an ammonium nitrate explosive.

KARBONIT. See CARBONITE.

KAUSOLIT.—An ammonium perchlorate explosive, introduced about 1915 by the Stockholm Superphosphaten-fabriks A.-b.

KENT POWDER was a coal-mine explosive made by the Cotton Powder Co. It was of the Carbonite type and was on the Permitted List. It is now no longer “permitted.”

Date of Permit 10-2-14

Nitroglycerine 24

Potassium nitrate 32·5

Wood meal 33·5

Ammonium oxalate 10

Limit charge over 32 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·01”

KENTITE is a coal-mine explosive made by British Westfalite, Ltd. It was on the old Permitted List and also passed the Rotherham Test, and so is still “permitted”—

Ammonium nitrate 34

Potassium nitrate 34

Trinitro-toluene 17

Ammonium chloride 15

Limit charge 18 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·64”

KIESELBACHER CHLORATSPRENGSTOFF. See MIEDZIANKIT.

KINETIT.—A German explosive made by gelatinising nitro-cellulose with nitro-benzene, and incorporating it with potassium nitrate and chlorate. It is somewhat sensitive to blows, etc. Early samples contained also antimony sulphide which rendered them decidedly dangerous.

KIWIT.—A German chlorate explosive introduced during the War. It contains not more than 77 per cent. of sodium or potassium chlorate, carbon carriers such as paraffin, naphthalene, vaseline, meal or oil, also not more than 15 per cent. of liquid trinitro-toluene, and may contain dinitro-toluene, dinitro-naphthalene, sodium chloride and not more than 4 per cent. of guncotton.

KOHLENKARBONIT. See CARBONITE.

KOLAX.—A coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type formerly on the Permitted List, made by Curtis’s and Harvey—

Nitroglycerine 25

Potassium nitrate 26

Barium nitrate 5

Wood meal 34

Starch 10

SUPER-KOLAX was a modification of this to meet the requirements of the Rotherham Test—

No. 2.

Date of Permit 1-9-13 7-4-14

Nitroglycerine 25·5 28·5

Collodion cotton — 1

Potassium nitrate 25·5 16·5

Barium nitrate 5 5

Wood meal 29·5 30·5

Starch 7·5 9

Ammonium oxalate 7 9·5

Limit charge 30 over 32 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·10 2·21”

The permits of both have been repealed.

KORONIT, also known as FAVORIT, is a German chlorate blasting explosive introduced during the War. See also Coronite.

Gesteins-Koronit (or -Favorit) contains not more than 85 per cent. of potassium or sodium chlorate, not more than 15 per cent. of nitro-bodies (but no trinitro-compounds), paraffin or fatty oils, naphthalene, vegetable meal, powdered coal, inert substances, and not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine.

Kohlen-Koronit (or -Favorit) contains not more than 68 per cent. of potassium or sodium chlorate, aromatic hydrocarbons and nitro-hydrocarbons (but not more than 12 per cent. of aromatic nitro-bodies and no trinitro-compounds), sodium chloride or similar salts, paraffin or fatty oils, vegetable meal or other organic substance; not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine and not more than 4 per cent. of powdered coal.

PERKORONIT is similar to Koronit except that it contains potassium or sodium perchlorate instead of chlorate. Part of the perchlorate may be replaced by nitrate.

*K.S., K.S.G.—Kynoch’s Smokeless Powder. It is a fibrous bulk powder for shot-guns made by Kynochs, Ltd. The following analyses were given in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 78—-

Kynoch’s Smokeless. K.S. K.S.G.

Date of Introduction 1901 1913 1912

Class 42-grain 42-grain 33-grain

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 49·5 40·4 41·5

” soluble 5·5 27·0 36·5

Metallic nitrates 25·0 28·0 12·0

Nitro-compound 19·0 — 5·0

Vaseline — 3·0 3·0

Moisture 1·0 1·6 2·0

KYNARKITE is a coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type made by Kynoch, Ltd. It is no longer on the Permitted List—

No. 2.

Date of Permit 1-9-13 15-1-15

Nitroglycerine 25 26

Potassium nitrate 28 29·5

Barium nitrate 3 —

Dinitro-toluene — 2·5

Wood meal 39 34

Ammonium oxalate 5 8

Limit charge 20 28 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·21 2·06”

KYNITE was a coal-mine explosive on the old Permitted List, but has been superseded by Kynarkite—

Kynite. Kynite. Condensed.

Nitroglycerine 26 25

Barium nitrate 33 33·5

Wood meal 40·7 6·5

Starch — 34·7

Calcium carbonate 0·3 0·3

*LAFFLIN AND RAND W.A. was a tubular smokeless powder tried in America for small arms. It consisted of—

Guncotton 67·25

Nitroglycerine 30

Metallic salts 2·75

gelatinised by means of 40 parts of acetone. A gelatinised dense shot-gun powder of similar composition was also made.

L.C. PULVER is a German Cheddite.

Gesteins-LEONIT is a German perchlorate explosive for blasting rock—

Alkali perchlorate about 60%

Ammonium nitrate 10

Nitro-compounds 15

Meal 10

Blasting gelatine 4

It is practically the same as Permonit A.

Neu-LEONIT is a modification of this for use in coal

I. II.

Potassium perchlorate 35 35

Ammonium nitrate 20 10

Sodium nitrate — 3

Trinitro-toluene 5} 11

Dinitro-toluene 5}

Wood meal 3 2

Vegetable meal 4 5

Blasting gelatine 4 4

Sodium chloride 24 30

It is practically the same as Wetter-Persalit.

LIGDYN is a nitroglycerine explosive similar to American dynamite made in South Africa. 40 per cent. Ligdyn consists of—

Nitroglycerine 40

Sodium nitrate 45

Wood meal 13

Wheat flour 2

*LIGHTNING.—A 33-grain smokeless shot-gun powder made by the Schultze Gunpowder Co. See Schultze Powder.

LIGNOSIT is a German blasting explosive containing a considerable percentage of ammonium nitrate. Lignosit I. contains also aromatic nitro-compounds, of which not more than 15 per cent. must be trinitro-compounds or wood meal, and not more than 6 per cent. of potassium nitrate, not more than I per cent. of collodion cotton and bauxite or salts, such as sodium chloride or carbonate.

Lignosit II. may contain up to 10 per cent. of collodion cotton, but no wood meal or nitro-compounds. It is somewhat sensitive.

Lignosit III. differs from I. in that it may contain up to 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine and contains no bauxite.

The object of adding the neutral salts is evidently to make the explosive safer in coal mines. When intended for this purpose it is called Wetter-Lignosit I. or III.

Lignosit IV. consists of ammonium nitrate, not more than 13 per cent. of trinitro-toluene, not more than 13 per cent. of aluminium powder, and wood meal.

LITHOFRACTEUR is a name that has been given to more than one explosive. One introduced about 1873 by Krebs and Co. of Deutz, near Cologne, consisted of nitroglycerine absorbed in kieselguhr mixed with nitrates, charcoal or coal and sulphur. Some of it was imported into England at one time.

LOEWENPULVER or Castroper Sprengpulver is a German blasting powder consisting of a compressed or granulated mixture of sodium nitrate, manganese dioxide, sulphur and carbonaceous substances such as briquette powder or coal. It may also contain potassium nitrate, wood meal or tar.

LOMITE NO. 1 is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is a low-grade dynamite containing hydrated salts.

LOWINITE NO. 2-B is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is an ammonium nitrate explosive.

LUXIT I. is a German blasting explosive consisting of ammonium nitrate, not more than 17 per cent. of trinitro-toluene, and not more than 5 per cent. of wood meal.

LYDDITE.—A high explosive used in the British Services for filling shell. It consists simply of picric acid, which is melted under proper precautions and poured into the shell.

*Poudre M is a shot-gun powder made by the French Government, and is the one that is most used in France. Its composition is—

Nitrocotton 71

Barium nitrate 20

Potassium nitrate 5

Camphor. 3

Binding material 1

The nitrocotton has a solubility of only 15 or 20 per cent., and is partially gelatinised with ether-alcohol aided by the camphor. It is granulated under edge runners, granulated and drummed.

MACARIT.—A Belgian high explosive for filling shell—

Trinitro-toluene 30

Lead nitrate 70

It has a high density and is not deliquescent. For equal weights its power is less than that of trinitro-toluene or picric acid, but for equal volumes it is somewhat greater.

MARKANIT. See SILESIA.

MARSIT.—A sort of Oxyliquit. Liquid oxygen is passed into a linen bag containing soot.

M.B. POWDER (Modernised Black) is a black powder mixture in which part of the potassium nitrate has been replaced by potassium or ammonium perchlorate, generally the potassium salt. It is manufactured at Bonnybridge, Stirling, at the works originally erected for making Mitchellite. During manufacture the composition is heated in steam boilers. (See “Arms and Explosives,” 1911, p. 7.)

M.D. See CORDITE.

MEGANIT is a Hungarian nitroglycerine explosive similar to American dynamite, except that it contains a small percentage of nitrated vegetable ivory.

MELANITE.—A Belgian blasting explosive consisting of—

Nitroglycerine 78

Collodion cotton 4

Sodium nitrate 18

It contains, therefore, a considerable excess of oxygen.

MÉLINITE is a high explosive used by the French for filling shell and other military purposes. It consists essentially of picric acid, to which other substances are sometimes added. Paraffin wax has been added to diminish the sensitiveness. Mélinite D is simply picric acid, but Mélinite O contains also a little Crésilite 2 (q. v.).

MELLING POWDER was a coal-mine explosive on the Permitted List, made by the Cotton Powder Co. The permit has been repealed.

Date of Permit 1-9-13

Nitroglycerine 5

Ammonium nitrate 53·5

Sodium nitrate 12

Trinitro-toluene 6

Wood meal 4·5

Ammonium oxalate 19

Limit charge 12 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·62”

MERCURIT is a blasting explosive that has been introduced recently in Germany. It consists of 88 per cent. of potassium chlorate and 12 per cent. of high boiling neutral tar oil. In Mercurit II. up to 20 per cent. of the chlorate may be replaced by perchlorate.

MERSEY POWDER was a coal-mine explosive on the Permitted List, made by the Cotton Powder Co. The permit has been repealed.

Date of Permit 3-7-15

Nitroglycerine 5·5

Ammonium nitrate 51

Sodium nitrate 11

Trinitro-toluene 6

Wood meal 3·5

Ammonium chloride 23

Limit charge 18 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·60”

METEOR AXXO is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is a low-grade dynamite containing a hydrated salt.

MIEDZIANKIT (also called Egelit or Kieselbacher Chloratsprengstoff) is a German chlorate explosive of the Sprengel class. It consists of porous potassium chlorate impregnated with not more than 10 per cent. of kerosene, having a flash point not below 30° C. It has met with some unfavourable reports, as it is found that results are not uniform unless the impregnation be carried out in special factories, the original idea having been that it was to be done shortly before use.

During the War a modification of the explosive was introduced for use in coal mines. This contains up to 30 per cent. of sodium chloride.

MINERITE.—A coal-mine explosive made by the Forcite Co. of Baelen Wezel in Belgium, identical in composition with Kohlen-carbonite and Colinite antigrisouteuse.

MINER’S FRIEND, NOS. 1 to 6. American coal-mine explosives on the Permissible List. They are ammonium nitrate explosives.

MINITE.—A coal-mine explosive of the Grisounite type which was on the old Permitted List—

Ammonium nitrate 89

Trinitro-toluene 10

Ammonium oxalate 1

There was also an explosive of the Carbonite type of this name made at Arendonck in Belgium—

Nitroglycerine 25

Potassium nitrate 35

Flour 39·5

Soda 0·5

Charge limite 750 g.

MIN-ITE.—American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. Brands A, A-2, B, and B-2 are nitroglycerine explosives, whereas Nos. 5-D and 6-D are ammonium nitrate mixtures.

MINOLITE.—A Belgian blasting explosive, which is also approved for transport over the German railways. It contains ammonium nitrate, dinitro- or trinitro-naphthalene with other substances added in some cases. A variety for use in coal mines is called Minolite antigrisouteuse.

Minolite antigrisouteuse. Minolite nouvelle.

Ammonium nitrate 72 87

Sodium nitrate 23 3

Trinitro-toluene 3 —

Trinitro-naphthalene 2 5

Dinitro-naphthalene — 3

Quebracho — 2

Charge limite 400 g.

There was also a variety containing lead nitrate, but this could not be used in mines because of the poisonous smoke it evolved.

*MISCHPULVER is a name given in German to ungelatinised smokeless nitro-cellulose powders.

MITCHELLITE was an explosive that was formerly licensed for manufacture in Great Britain, and was made at Bonnybridge, Stirling, but the factory and the licence were transferred to the M.B. Powder Co. in 1910. It was apparently a chlorate or perchlorate explosive. It is said to be manufactured at Monticello, Indiana, U.S.A.

*MODDITE.—A sporting rifle powder made by Eley Bros. Analysis of a sample showed—

Nitroglycerine 38·7

Nitrocellulose 56·8

Mineral jelly 4·3

Volatile matter 0·2

Of the nitrocellulose about one-third was soluble in ether-alcohol. It was made in the form of strip.

MONACHIT is a German blasting explosive which was known at one time as Vigorit. It is distinguished by containing nitro-compounds derived from naphtha, mostly nitro-xylenes and nitro-mesitylenes.

Monachit I. contains ammonium nitrate, not more than 15 per cent. of nitro-compounds, of which not more than 60 per cent. must be trinitro-bodies, also vegetable meal and potassium nitrate.

Monachit II. contains in addition not more than 1 per cent. of collodion cotton, not more than 1 per cent. of charcoal, also hydrocarbons and ammonium oxalate or other salts to act as cooling agents, and render the explosive suitable for use in coal mines, e. g.—

Ammonium nitrate 81 64

Potassium nitrate 5 3

Nitro-compounds 13 14

Collodion cotton — 1

Flour 1 —

Charcoal — 1

Potassium chloride — 17

The collodion cotton is to gelatinise the nitro-compounds when they are liquid.

MONARKITE is a coal-mine explosive made by Kynoch, Ltd., and is on the Permitted List—

Date of Permit 10-2-14

Revised 20-9-19

Ammonium nitrate 49[1]

Sodium nitrate 9

Nitroglycerine 11·5

Collodion cotton 0·3

Starch 3·5

Mineral jelly 2

Sodium chloride 24·7

Limit charge 18 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·30”

MONOBEL is a coal-mine explosive made by Nobel’s Explosives Co. There are three formulæ which have passed the Rotherham Test, but A1 is no longer on the Permitted List—

Monobel No. 1. A1 Monobel. A2 Monobel.

Date of Permit 10-2-14 13-5-14 15-1-15

Ammonium nitrate 68 60 59

Nitroglycerine 8·5 10 10

Wood meal 8·5 10 10

Sodium chloride 15 — —

Potassium chloride — 20 20

Magnesium carbonate — — 1

Limit charge 10 28 22 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·81 2·78 2·44”

There is also Quarry Monobel which is not permitted for use in dangerous coal mines, and presumably contains no alkali chloride.

See also Viking Powder and Victor Powder.

MONOBEL, NOS. 1 to 7 are on the American Permissible List. Of these, Nos. 4 and 5 are low-freezing explosives, containing a small percentage of nitro-toluene or similar substance; Nos. 3 and 5 are less violent than the others.

MONOBEL POWDER was the predecessor of the above and was on the old Permitted List. It is now no longer “permitted.”

Ammonium nitrate 80

Nitroglycerine 10

Wood meal 10

*MULLERITE.—A shot-gun powder made by the Muller Co. in Belgium. It is a gelatinised dense powder in the form of green leaflets, and the charge for a 12-bore cartridge was 33 grains. It contains no inorganic salts.

EXPLOSIFS N. See Favier Explosives.

NAPHTHALIT.—A German chlorate explosive introduced during the War. It contains not more than 80 per cent. of potassium chlorate, and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as naphthalene, and not more than 12 per cent. of nitro-hydrocarbons, but no trinitro-compounds; also paraffins, fatty oils, flour or other organic substance. It may contain also alkali chlorides, and not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine.

The prefixes Gesteins- and Wetter- are applied according as the explosive is intended for rock or coal mines.

Grisou-NAPHTALITE. See FAVIER Explosives.

NATIONALITE.—A coal-mine explosive of the Grisounite class made by the National Explosives Co., Ltd. The composition, which was on the old Permitted List, was—

Ammonium nitrate 92

Di- and Trinitro-toluene 8

But to pass the Rotherham Test it was necessary to add alkali chlorides. There were two formulæ formerly on the Permitted List—

No. 1. No. 2.

Date of Permit 22-6-14 28-1-15

Ammonium nitrate 65·5 64

Trinitro-toluene 15 15

Sodium chloride 19·5 —

Potassium chloride — 21

Limit charge 12 20 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·92 2·63”

The permits have been repealed.

*N.C.T. is the name given in the British service to the Nitro-Cellulose Tubular smokeless powder, made in the same way as the American service powder. It consists of nitro-cellulose completely soluble in ether-alcohol, but of comparatively high nitration. It is gelatinised with ether-alcohol and pressed into cords with either one or seven perforations running down them length-ways. These are cut into short cylinders and dried. The powder contains a little diphenylamine as a stabiliser.

N.E. See New Explosives Company’s Smokeless Powder.

NEGRO POWDER.—A coal-mine explosive of the Grisounite class made by Roburite and Ammonal, Ltd. The composition, which was on the old Permitted List, was—

Ammonium nitrate 88

Trinitro-toluene 10

Graphite 2

and a small quantity of colouring matter.

To enable it to pass the Rotherham Test, sodium chloride has been added, and Negro Powder No. 2 is now on the Permitted List—

Date of Permit 25-11-13

Ammonium nitrate 57

Trinitro-toluene 15

Graphite 0·7

Sodium chloride 27·3

Colouring matter small quantity

Limit charge 20 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·21”

NEONAL.—A coal-mine explosive made by the New Explosives Company. Two formulæ were at one time on the Permitted List—

No. 1.

Date of Permit 1-9-13 22-6-14

Nitroglycerine 21 40

Collodion cotton 1 2

Di- and Trinitro-toluene 0·2 —

Wood meal 15·8 5

Potassium perchlorate 37 14

Ammonium oxalate 25 39

Limit charge 16 30 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·56 2·51”

Both have now been repealed.

*NEONITE.—A 30-grain bulk gelatinised smokeless shot-gun powder introduced by the New Explosives Co. in 1907. According to an analysis given in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 76, its composition is—

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 73·0

” soluble 9·0

Metallic nitrates 10·5

Vaseline 5·9

Moisture 1·6

Neonites are also made for various types of rifled small arms, including military rifles, cadet rifles, revolvers and rim-fire rifles. These are all nitrocellulose powders with or without moderants.

*NEW EXPLOSIVES COMPANY’S SMOKELESS POWDER or N.E.—A 36-grain fibrous bulk powder for shot-guns introduced in 1912. According to an analysis given in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 76, its composition is—

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 50·0

” soluble 25·8

Metallic nitrates 12·0

Nitro-hydrocarbons 7·0

Vaseline 3·5

Moisture 1·7

NEW FORTEX. See FORTEX.

NITRALITE. See DENSITE.

NITRO-DENSITE.—A coal-mine explosive made by Kynoch, Ltd. It was of the Carbonite type, and was at one time on the Permitted List—

Date of Permit 1-9-13

Nitroglycerine 18

Barium nitrate 25

Wood meal 5·5

Starch 28·5

French chalk 23

Limit charge 28 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 1·47”

*NITROKOL.—A gelatinised nitrocellulose powder intended for use in rifles. It consists of a nitrocellulose, mostly soluble in ether-alcohol, and gelatinised with that solvent. It is made up in the form of small square flakes which are graphited.

NITROLIT.—A high explosive used by the Germans for filling shell. It is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and trinitro-anisol.

The name was formerly given by C. Lamm of Stockholm to a blasting explosive containing blasting gelatine, ammonium nitrate and other substances.

NITRO LOW-FLAME, NOS. 1 and 2 are American coal-mine explosives on the Permissible List. They are nitroglycerine mixtures.

NOBEL AMMONIA POWDER.—A coal-mine explosive which was on the old Permitted List—

Ammonium nitrate 84

Nitroglycerine 8

Wood meal 8

NOBEL GELATINE DYNAMITE.} NOBEL GELIGNITE. } Under these names explosives were introduced during the War with modified compositions, the potassium nitrate being replaced by sodium nitrate, and the percentage of nitroglycerine being reduced.

NOBELIT is a German blasting explosive containing blasting gelatine, carbonaceous substances, inorganic nitrates and sodium or potassium chloride.

AMMON-NOBELIT contains ammonium nitrate, and the proportion of blasting gelatine is limited to 4 per cent. It may contain sodium or potassium oxalate, and various other substances that are not present in Nobelit.

*NORMAL POWDER.—A smokeless powder which was said to have been adopted by the Governments of Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The following analyses were given in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 91—

Rifle. Shot-gun Powders.

Date of Sample 1895 1913 1902

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 93·0 8·8 40·8

” soluble 3·5 89·4 56·1

Resin 2·0 — —

Moisture 1·5 1·8 2·0

NORMANITE.—A coal-mine explosive which was made by the Cotton Powder Co., and was on the old Permitted List—

Nitroglycerine 33·5

Collodion cotton 1·5

Potassium nitrate 44·5

Wood meal 8

Charcoal 1·5

Ammonium oxalate 11

Explosifs O are the chlorate explosives made in the French State factories. O1, O2, O4 and O5 are Cheddites (q. v.). O3 is a Sprengel explosive, and is dealt with under the heading of Prométhée.

OAKLEY QUARRY POWDER is a blasting explosive consisting of ammonium nitrate and tetryl.

OAKLITE.—A coal-mine explosive made by the Explosives and Chemical Products, Ltd., which was on the old Permitted List—

No. 1. No. 2.

Nitroglycerine 25·5 10

Collodion cotton 1 0·5

Potassium nitrate 34·5 —

Ammonium nitrate — 79·3

Wood meal 38·7 10

Magnesium carbonate 0·3 0·2

ODITE.—A coal-mine explosive which was made by the New Explosives Co., and was on the old Permitted List—

Ammonium nitrate 88

Dinitro-benzene 12

OPHORITE.—A mild but hot explosive consisting of—

Potassium perchlorate 60

Magnesium powder 40

It is used as a bursting charge for incendiary shell, smoke bombs, etc.

ORKANIT is the same as Alkalsit, but may contain sodium chloride and similar salts.

OXYLIQUIT is a blasting explosive consisting of liquid oxygen absorbed in some porous combustile material, such as absorbent cork, soot or kieselguhr mixed with petroleum. It was discovered in 1895 by Prof. F. C. Linde, and was tried on a large scale in 1899 in the construction of the Simplon tunnel. It is very cheap, and is safe in the case of a missfire, because in about half-an-hour the oxygen has all evaporated off and the charge becomes inexplosive. On the other hand, it is necessary to have the air liquefying plant near the scene of operations, and the charge must be fired soon after charging. These disadvantages prevented the adoption of the explosive, but during the War fresh trials were made in Germany in consequence of the scarcity of nitrates.

Liquid oxygen explosives are now used on a considerable scale by the Germans for military, as well as civil blasting operations. The name Oxyliquit, however, seems only to be applied to them when the explosive is made in the manner and with the plant of the Linde Company. See also Marsit.

PANCLASTITE.—A Sprengel explosive made by mixing liquid nitrogen peroxide with carbon bisulphide, nitro-benzene or nitro-toluene. It was proposed in 1881 by Turpin, and was tried by Germany for filling shell, the two constituents being contained in separate glass containers, which were broken by the shock of discharge. It was not adopted there on account of the inconvenience of dealing with a liquid which gives off poisonous fumes. It is a powerful and violent explosive, and is probably the same as the “Turpinite” about which sensational statements were made in the press early in the War.

PANNONIT.—A blasting explosive made by the A. G. Dynamit Nobel of Austria. It has replaced Progressit in Austria as a coal-mine explosive. Its composition is—

Nitroglycerine 25·5

Collodion cotton 1·5

Ammonium nitrate 37

Dextrin 4

Glycerine 3

Nitro-toluene 5

Sodium or potassium chloride 24

PASTANIL.—A German ammonium nitrate blasting explosive similar to Plastammon.

*P.C./88.—A Swiss smokeless powder for small-arms consisting of—

Nitrocellulose 82

Trinitro-toluene 18

PERAGON.—A German blasting explosive containing potassium perchlorate, zinc-aluminium alloy, aromatic nitrocompounds and some other constituents.

PERCHLORIT is a German blasting explosive introduced recently. It contains ammonium nitrate, a perchlorate, mono- and dinitro-compounds, meal, charcoal, and not more than 4 per cent. of nitroglycerine.

PERDIT.—An explosive used by the Germans for mining and demolitions and rifle grenades. It consists of—

Ammonium nitrate 76

Potassium perchlorate 6

Wood meal 2

Dinitro-toluene 16

PERILIT.—A German perchlorate blasting explosive made by the Koeln-Rottweil Pulverfabriken. It contains not more than 65 per cent. of potassium perchlorate, aromatic nitro-compounds, not more than 6 per cent. of dinitro-chlorhydrin, flour, etc., and nitrates (but not more than 10 per cent. of potassium nitrate).

PERKORONIT. See Koronit.

PERMON POWDER.—A coal-mine explosive which was on the Permitted List. It was made by the Carbonite Syndicate in Germany, and imported into Great Britain—

Date of Permit 25-11-13

Nitroglycerine 12

Collodion cotton 0·4

Ammonium nitrate 55

Sodium nitrate 1

Glycerine 4

Potato flour 10·6

Sodium chloride 17

Limit charge 18 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·57”

The permit was repealed on 21-11-16.

PERMONITE.—A potassium perchlorate explosive made by the Carbonite Syndicate at Schlebusch in Germany. A number of mixtures have been placed on the market, but they do not differ from one another very much. One which was on the old British Permitted List was—

Potassium perchlorate 32·2

Ammonium nitrate 41

Nitroglycerine 3·5

Collodion cotton 0·3

Trinitro-toluene 12

Starch 8

Wood meal 3

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · Including not more than 2 per cent. of magnesium carbonate.