Explosives 101

[Gaze]

Heyy guys im really new to the whole scene of minor and major explosives and its a skill im hoping to develop, and you people probably get this ALOT but would one of you mind giving me a 101 on explosives, like everything you think a begginer should know from safety right down to any chemicals or pieces of equipment you believe i should get (bare in mind that im pnly 15 and dont have access to everything)

It would be very much appriciated

cheers

-Gaze

[pyromainiac420]

me many other members and all the moderators will certainly help you. But the question you are asking is WAAAYYY too broad. The world of explosives is HUGE so you have to do a little research find out what you think you might be able to make, ask us what explosives you thick would be good for a beginner (id say try AP or NC). So just try to give us easyier questions to ask. And dont feel like im giving you shit or anything many people have asked almost the same question. :P

[Shalshaska]

To start, you should get some basic chemicals like KNO3, 30% H2O2, acetone, HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, Fe2O3 and maybe some AN.

[Jago]

In regards to safety:
ALWAYS wear gloves and eye protection and a mask, maybe ven an apron. I can't stress the importance of safety gear. After having worked with chemicals before, and in one instance not getting any safety gear (even after numerous requests, i finally left there though), i can say it isn't worth your health or the hasstle just to save some time or to not look like a complete dork. The skin on my hands peeled around once a week, they became very sensitive to pain etc and it was always uncomfortable. There were some respiratory problems for a little while to top it all off. I was using caustic degreasers and acids. Wear the safeties, it's not worth risking your health and life.
NEVER breathe in ANY vapours, unless you are cooking dinner or something
ALWAYS handle all chemicals with care, and be sure to check the MSDS on the chemicals.
Read the MSDS and learn how to contain spillages appropriately and have appropriate emergency equipment on stand by (fire extinguishers, spill kits, first aid kits etc).
Read the MSDS and learn how to treat contacts with the chemicals (there's allot of different ways, so im not going to go through every single one), but obviously remove contaminated clothing where possible etc.
NEVER take any shortcuts, easy ways out etc.
ALWAYS be 100% sure the information you are using is correct.
ALWAYS be well informed about the chemicals you are using, and the product you are making, how to deal with, handle and dispose of each.
ALWAYS make sure the area is clear of bystanders and everyone is standing at a safe distance from the charge and maybe even behind some cover.
ALWAYS chose the appropriate casing. Shrapnel is something you don't want, therefor try and avoid metal casings, unless you are making a shaped charge, but that's a fair whack more advanced than the level that you are at now. Best casings to use are paper and cardboard, plastic too, but that can still throw shrapnel (although not AS dangerous as metal, it can still cause harm), all shrapnel is bad.
Educate yourself on all aspects of the explosive you are making, including the chemicals involved (i've covered that before, but i can't stress the importance of knowing what you are dealing with and how to deal with it).
The more risks you minimize, the better off you will be.

EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION

As for explosive synthesis, education, equipment etc, use megalomania. It's correct, informative, technical, but also breaks it down in other sections (the technical bits by informing you of what the lab equipment is etc).
It should have most of the info you need, and can point you in the right directions with links and keywords. It has safety section, equipment section, techniques, synthesis, links. It isn't 100% finished though, but there is enough there for you, and if you need info, like i said, it gives you a keyword you can look for, maybe on google or something.
Anyway, check that site out, check out the links.
Go forth and learn, and hopefully you will come back knowing more than i do (no i'm not saying i am overly knowledgable, a god, a whizz in the subject. Nor do i think i know everything) :P

Also feel free to contribute to this thread if you have any other useful information, hints, suggestions etc.

[pyromainiac420]

were can gas masks or whatever be found...will a painters mask work?

[Shalshaska]

The gun/ militaria shop in my town has gas masks and hardware stores' masks will probably work well enough. If you're dealing with airborne particles, even those little painting filters would work, but if you have problems with vapors, a gas mask with a respirator is the way to go.

[Jago]

Industrial suppliers/safety equipment suppliers. I know that BOC Gasses sells them, a "catalogue" can be found here
They sell the "paper" face mask/respirators(you know the kind), half face respirators, full face gas masks/respiration systems etc, for all different kinds of applications too(be sure to check the specs). I can vouch for BOC's equipment and the brands they sell, as I have used BOC's own gear and the other gear they sell, it's not cheap, low quality crap.
Check their main website for ordering info, just google BOC Gasses. They are a world wide company too, so you shouldn't have problems getting gear. Use the part number from that catalogue, go to the online shop and follow it through, or call one of their numbers on the main site.
Be sure to select the right kind of gear for the application You want to make sure you have appropriate protection, it's really an area you can't afford to slack off in, especially when you deal with some of the shit used in making explosives (acid fumes do REALLY nasty things :wink: ).

They cover everything from dust, to acid fumes/vapours, to other nasty shit. Like i said, be sure to check the specs.

[YoungHypnotiq]

im going to try and make AP soon.

Edit: once I make AP what do I do with it? how do I detonate it etc. etc.

[nzmilitia]

what would you like to do with it?
if you dont know wat to do with it i suggest you do some more reading about
explosives as you could easily end up with missing hands or fingers
playing with somthing you dont know how to use.

[Jago]

use an appropriate casing, insert your fuse, tape it up (so a spark or what ever doesn't ignite your AP prematurely), light it, and run?

[pyromainiac420]

How do you detonate AP? Lmfao with a spark or flame would be an interesting idea. In all seriosness listen to jago you really should make sure sparks dont hit it prematurly its more of a problem than you would think.

[ATSACIN]

I have some questions, what type of gloves are good (resist) for acids? I have a pair of latex, is enough?, about the sensitive explosives (like AP) it is safe compress it inside a container like a CO2 cartridge? I buy sulfuric acid and it say something about 98% of concentration, it comes in plastic bottle, it isn't to strong?, I can buy nitric acid (33%), it is not to concentrate, but if it is in water I can double?
Thanks

[headcase]

Try dipping the gloves in acid and see what happens.

It's not safe to cpmpress AP in a CO2 cartridge because AP is an organic peroxide, which is sensitive around metal. Best use a plastic container, compress it while it's wet and don't be too rough.

98% sulphuric acid isn't too strong in itself, but the high concentration might raise the temperature of your mixture too much. High temperature can mean impure product. TATP, a more sensitive and less powerful explosive can result in an AP mix that gets too hot. I'd dilute it.

What ae you doing that needs more then 33% nitric acid?

[ATSACIN]

I did not make AP, but I will try. I am collectin information first.

Originally Posted by headcase

What ae you doing that needs more then 33% nitric acid?

33% is concentrated?

[headcase]

Fairly concentrated, yes. To the best of my knowledge, nothing should require more then 33%, but then again I could be completely wrong. Did you have any use in mind for the nirtic acid?

[ATSACIN]

Originally Posted by headcase

Fairly concentrated, yes. To the best of my knowledge, nothing should require more then 33%, but then again I could be completely wrong. Did you have any use in mind for the nirtic acid?

And 60%? well I don't know what to make, but I will save it.
We talk more tomorow.
Thanks.

[Shalshaska]

Don't most nitrations require at least about >95%, or then you would have to use more sulfuric to dehydrate the reaction.

[pyromainiac420]

I'm sure you could go less than 95%, almost positive. But I find high conc. better yeild. Although higher conc. = more exothermic reaction.

[ATSACIN]

Originally Posted by pyromainiac420

. Although higher conc. = more exothermic reaction.

...And more sensitive, so more dangerous, right?

[headcase]

That kind of depends on what you're making. That's the way it is with AP. It is generally a bad thing though.

[Shalshaska]

As long as you keep the reaction slow and in an ice bath you would be good. Runaways seem to only occur when people notice the lack of heat produced, so they figure it'd be okay to just squirt it all in at once.