Booster explosives are those components of the explosive train that function to transmit and augment the force and flame from the initiating explosive
Propelling charges use a black powder booster, while high-explosive boosters use one of the following: Tetryl, CH-6, or Composition A-5.
Tetryl
Tetryl (Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine; a fine yellow crystalline, derivative of Benzene), standard booster explosive, is a nitramine booster explosive, though the use has been largely superseded by RDX. Tetryl is sensitive secondary high explosive used as a booster, a small charge placed next to the detonator in order to propagate the detonation into the main charge. It is detonated by friction, shock, or spark. It is detonated by friction, shock, or spark. Tetryl decomposes rapidly in methanol/water solutions, as well as with heat.
CH-6
CH-6 is a mixture of 97.5% RDX (described in the next section), 1.5% calcium stearate, 0.5% polyisobutylene, and 0.5% graphite. It is a finely divided gray powder that is less toxic and more available than tetryl.
Composition A-5
Composition A-5 is a mixture of 98.5% RDX and 1.5% stearic acid.
NQ [Nitroguanidine / Picrate]
Ammonium Picrate (Yellow D / Explosive D), or Picric Acid or 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, C6H2(NO2)3OH, a toxic yellow crystalline solid that melts at 122°C and is soluble in most organic solvents. Picric acid is a derivative of phenol. It reacts with metals to form metal picrates, which like picric acid itself are highly sensitive explosives that can be detonated by heat, flame, shock, or friction. The high explosives lyddite and melinite are composed mostly of compressed or fused picric acid.
