The explosives used as initiating explosives are the primary high explosives mentioned previously in this chapter. The explosives discussed in this section are lead azide, lead, styphnate, and diazodinitrophenol (DDNP).
Lead Azide
Lead azide is poisonous, slightly soluble in hot water and in alcohol, and highly soluble in a diluted solution of nitric or acetic acid in which a little sodium nitrate has been dissolved. It reacts with copper, zinc, cadmium, or alloys containing such metals, forming an azide that is more sensitive than the original lead tide. Because lead azide does not react with aluminum, detonator capsules for lead azide are made of this metal. The hygroscopicity of lead azide is very low. Ammonium acetate and sodium bichromate are used to destroy small quantities of lead azide. Lead azide is widely used as an initiating explosive in high-explosive detonator devices.
Lead StyphnateLead styphnate is particularly sensitive to fire and the discharge of static electricity. Lead styphnate does not react with metals. Lead styphnate is slightly soluble in water and methyl alcohol and may be neutralized by a solution of sodium carbonate. The velocity of detonation is approximately 17,000 fps. The color of lead styphnate varies from yellow to brown. Lead styphnate is used as an initiating explosive in propellant primer and high-explosive detonator devices.
Diazodinitrophenol (DDNP)DDNP is a yellowish brown powder. DDNP is often used as an initiating explosive in propellant primer devices.
