How to Make Astrolite Liquid Explosives

Introduction:


A completely new family of explosives has been developed with entirely
new properties, giving rise to revolutionary application concepts that never
before have been possible with conventional explosives.
The most significant of the new explosives are Astrolite A-1-5, said to
be the world's MOST POWERFUL NON-NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE, and Astrolite-G, claimed to
be the world's highest detonation-velocity liquid explosive. Both explosives
are remarkably safe to handle and are unusually versatile. Both also can be
mixed from nondetonable components.
Astrolite explosives are a product of advanced rocket propellant
technology. They were discovered quite by accident in the 1960's by
research personnel investigating a so-called rocket propellant that proved
so powerful that it consistently destroyed rockets on the test stand.
Astrolite explosives are formed when ammonium nitrate is mixed with
anhydrous hydrazine. Extensive solvolysis occurs with the liberation of
large amounts of ammonia gas and a new compound (hydrazonium nitrate) is
formed and remains in solution. This produces a clear liquid explosive called
Astrolite G. When aluminum powder (100 mesh or finer) is added, it forms
Astrolite A-1-5.

Formula:


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 Astrolite G: Mix two parts by weight of ammonium nitrate with one part
              by weight of anyhydrous hydrazine

 Astrolite A-1-5: Add 20% by weight of aluminum powder to the ammonium
                  nitrate before mixing with anhydrous hydrazine.


Aluminum powder in the  A-1-5 does not react  with the two main components

but remains in solution to give added power to the explosive when it is
detonated by a compound detonator. Straight detonators (No. 8 in strength) can
be used, but the velocity of the detonation will be reduced. The tremendous
explosive power stems from Astrolite's amine-based chemistry which
releases nitrogen and hydrogen gases. These expand more forcefully than
the gases produced by the usual hydrocarbon explosives.

Handling of materials and product:


Anhydrous hydrazine, being extremely pure, is classified as corrosive  and

is flammable. It should be kept away from any source of fire, flames or sparks
It is also midly toxic and should be handled in well ventilated areas.
Harmful effects may result from swallowing, inhalation of vapours or contact
with skin or eyes. In case of accidental spillage, wash the affected area
immediately with large amounts of water. Remove contaminated clothing and wash
with water. Eyes should be flushed with water for 15 minutes.
Ammonium nitrate is an oxidizing agent and should be kept away from
any source of fire, flames or sparks.
The mixed explosive has a lower toxicity than the hydrazine. However, treat
it as the same: Flush spills of Astrolite immediately with large quantities
of water to neutralize; handle Astrolite ONLY in well-ventilated areas. The
mixed explosive is relatively insensitive to shock and can be safely used
at all temperatures.

Actual Mixing of reagents:


The  mixing container should be fairly large because the chemical reaction

is extremely effervescent and can easily bubble over the top. Because of the effervescent reaction, the liquid hydrazine should be added very slowly
so as not to create accidental spillage. The person doing the mixing should be
upwind of the mixing process so as not to inhale the poisonous ammonia gas
which is liberated during the reaction. After all the hydrazine is added,
stirring should continue for an additional five minutes. A small amount of
residue may appear. This residue is inert and will not affect the explosive.

Technical Data:


The Astrolite A family of exposives. of  which A-1-5  has proved  to  be

the most powerful and adaptable for military use, is totally unrelated to
any existing explosive compounds. Side-by-side field tests in both dirt and
clay cratering and in hard rock blasting have revealed that Astrolite A
outperforms 60% blasting gelatin by 3 to 5 times, and that it is 1.8 to
2 times more powerful than TNT - greater than any other non-nuclear
explosive. Yet the Astrolite A family of explosives is 40 times safer than
nitroglycerin explosives under adiabatic copression and impact shock. In
demolition, Astrolite A produces crater volumes 3 times greater than C-4
plastic explosive, and 1.5 times greater than PBXN-1, an existing high power
military explosive.
Unlike Astrolite A, Astrolite G represents an entirely new approach in the
ordnance field. Applications of Astrolite G are so revolutionary that
its acceptance by the military - which already is occuring - will mark the
the introduction of new concepts rather than the replacement of military
explosives.
Astrolite G is a clear liquid explosive especially designed to produce
a very high detonation velocity, 8600 MPS, compared with 7700 MPS
for nitroglycerin and 6900 MPS for TNT. Astrolite A has a velocity of
detonation of 7800 MPS.
Astrolite G has excellent propagation characteristics, propagating in tube
diameters below .5 inch. In addition, a very unusual characteristic is that
the liquid explosive has the ability to be absorbed easily into the ground
while remaining detonable. No other safe military or commercial explosive
has this property. In field tests, Astrolite G has remained detonable for 4
days in the ground, even when the soil was soaked due to rainy weather.
Due to Astrolite G's high detonation velocity, only small amounts
are needed for demolitions use. An antipersonnel or antivehicular land mine
poured DIRECTLY into the dirt would only require 4 ounces detonated by an
electrical or mechanical detonating cap. Such a small amount would be
devastating in antipersonnel applications and would be sufficient to
disable even a light armored vehicle.

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Pub: 19 Jan 2023 15:06 UTC
Views: 194