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320 CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY OF EXPLOSIVES

The results are tabulated (Table 75) and presented in diagrammatic form (Fig. 74).

There is a characteristic increase of the slope of the line of sensitiveness above the

melting point of TNT. It is evident that the sensitiveness of molten TNT between

81°C and 100°C is well below that of tetryl at room temperature.

Temperature, °C

FIG. 74. Sensitiveness Of TNT to impact at various temperatures

(T. Urbanski and Sikorska [114]).

TABLE 15

Per cent of explosions at

Substance

Temperature the height of

°C 25 cm 30cm 50cm

curve I curve II curve III

TNT 18

20

80

81

90

100

110

120

Picric acid 18

Tetryl 18

• 11
  13


• 
  

  25
  43
  62

  
  


• 
  

48

24 54

.- -

• 
  
  
  
  • 31 / 59
    48! 75
    63 89
  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  
  • 
    
  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  
  • 
    
  
  
  
  

50 75

81 94

The sensitiveness of TNT at 90°C is of the order of that of picric acid at room

temperature.

In any case the handling of liquid TNT requires more safety measures than solid

TNT, though the fact that detonation in molten TNT proceeds only with great diffi-

culty reduces the danger. TNT becomes more sensitive when such solid substan-

ces as for example ammonium nitrate, are added to it (Vol. IV). Addition of

sulphur also increases the sensitiveness to impact (T. Urbanski and Pillich [93]).