If you are unfamiliar with initiators, when you hear the phrase "exploding-bridgewire" you may picture a bridge blowing up and the hero running away from it in the nick of time, like an action movie cliché. But these devices are not about “burning bridges” like the demo video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwc2rVX2Jkw Exploding-bridgewires (EBW's) have a slug/header … Continue reading Exploding-Bridgewire
What are hot spots? Besides being a trendy new bar in town, a way to connect to the internet, or a centralized pain in your foot, “hot spots” are important to understand in the context of energetics. Voids, or air bubbles/cavities, or anomalies in energetics can causes hot spots. Hot spots increase the sensitivity of … Continue reading Hot Spot Initiation
Ah, one of my favorite types of energetic material--pyro!! Call me a pyromaniac (but please don't though?), because I just find pyro to be so cool (but actually VERY hot) and fun (but be safe kids)! So what is pyro? Pyrotechnics are low explosives, so they do not detonate (although, they can unintentionally undergo detonation … Continue reading Pyrotechnics
Primers, or Primary High Explosives, are super sensitive explosives that do not take much to be initiated. Typical primer mixes contain lead styphnate, lead (II) azide, tetracene, mercury fulminate, or an antimony-sulfide mixture, and a grit which further sensitizes the mix when crushed by compression. [1] Primary explosives are often a heavy metal attached to an … Continue reading Primers
Some authorities claimed the troops of Christian I of Saxony were the first to use cartridges in 1586, and Capo Bianco wrote in 1597 that cartridges had long been in use among Neapolitan soldiers. These early cartridges were charges of powder wrapped up separately in little packets to allow the shooter to load more quickly. … Continue reading A Complete Round of Ammunition
Let's talk about the basics of thermites! Thermite falls under "pyrotechnics" because it does not explode, detonate, or deflagrate, but it releases a large heat effect. A thermite burns slow and with little to no gas. Like a fine whiskey....? Thermite heat Thermite Mixture A common thermite reaction between Aluminum and Iron (III) Oxide. This … Continue reading Thermites
Azidoazide azide (C4N14) is commonly referred to as the most ~explosive~ molecule in the world. This is due to it containing 14 nitrogen atoms and no hydrogen atoms. None of the nitrogen bonds are triple bonds, which for nitrogen is it's most stable and desirable form. No naturally this molecule doesn't feel comfortable existing the … Continue reading Azidoazide Azide (1-Diazidocarbamoyl-5-azidotetrazole)
What are shockwaves? Let's start with shock. Shock, in mechanics, is an abrupt change of acceleration. I'm talking zero to sixty (or sixty to zero) in ZERO seconds. Think of jumping off a ledge, and landing on your feet with your legs straight. Ouch. When jumping from a height and landing on your feet with … Continue reading Shockwaves
Black Powder Where to begin with explosives? Well, I thought it made sense to start with Black Powder, the ultimate fore father of all things that bang and pop. Black powder is mix between charcoal, saltpeter, and sulfur, and was estimated to be invented in China around the 9th century. I know this because I … Continue reading Black Powder
Hey there! Thanks for checking out the site. I am an explosives engineer (read: uber NERD), here to bring information on history, scientific phenomena, new developments, and applications on all things energetic materials. I hope to bring to light information others may be curious about, as well as talk about how cool and mysterious combustion … Continue reading About
It Goes Boom 