PLASTIQUE EXPLOSIVE FROM BLEACH

This explosive is a Potassium chlorate explosive. This explosive and explosives of similar composition were used in WWI as the main explosive filler in grenades, land mines, and mortar rounds used by French, German and some other forces involved in that conflict. These explosives are relatively safe to manufacture. One should strive to make sure these explosives are free of sulfur, sulfides, and picric acid. The presence of these compounds result in mixtures that are or can become highly sensitive and possibly decompose explosively while in storage. The manufacture of this explosive from bleach is given just as an expedient method. This method of manufacturing potassium chlorate is not economical due to the amount of energy used to boil the solution and cause the 'dissociation' reaction to take place. This procedure does work and yields a relatively pure and a sulfur, sulfide free product. These explosives are very cap sensitive and require only a #3 cap for instigating detonation. To manufacture potassium chlorate from bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution) obtain a heat source (hot plate, stove etc.), a battery hydrometer, a large pyrex or enameled steel container (to weigh chemicals), and some potassium chloride (sold as a salt substitute). Take one gallon of bleach and place it in the container and begin heating it. While this solution heats, weigh out 63 g potassium chloride and add this to the bleach being heated. Bring this solution to a boil and boil until when checked with a hydrometer the reading is 1.3 (if a battery hydrometer is used it should read full charge).

When the reading is 1.3 take the solution and let it cool in the refrigerator until it is between room temperature and 0 degrees C. Filter out the crystals that have formed and save them. Boil this solution again and cool as before. Filter and save the crystals. Take these crystals that have been saved and mix them with distilled water in the following proportions: 56 g per 100 ml distilled water. Heat this solution until it boils and allow it to cool. Filter the solution and save the crystals that form upon cooling. This process of purification is called fractional crystallization. These crystals should be relatively pure potassium chlorate.

Powder these to the consistency of face powder (400 mesh) and heat gently to drive off all moisture. Melt five parts vaseline and five parts wax. Dissolve this in white gasoline (camp stove gasoline) and pour this liquid on 90 parts potassium chlorate (the crystals from the above operation) in a plastic bowl. Knead this liquid into the potassium chlorate until intimately mixed. Allow all the gasoline to evaporate. Place this explosive in a cool dry place. Avoid friction and sulfur/sulfides/phosphorous compounds. This explosive is best molded to the desired shape and density (1.3 g/cc) and dipped in wax to water proof. These block type charges guarantee the highest detonation velocity. This explosive is really not suited to use in shaped charge applications due to it's relatively low detonation velocity. It is comparable to 40% ammonia dynamite and can be considered the same for the sake of charge computation. If the potassium chlorate is bought and not made, it is put into the manufacture process in the powdering stages preceding the addition of the wax-vaseline mixture. This explosive is powerful and hair raising. The addition of 2-3% aluminum powder increases it's blast effect. Detonation velocity 3300 m/sec.

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Pub: 20 Jan 2023 12:17 UTC
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