Trinitrotoluene

History

The TNT was discovered in 1863 by the German Chimiste Joseph Wilbrand. Its explosive potential could be observed later only several years, because of the difficulty of developing a effective Détonateur considering its little of sensitivity and because it was less powerful than other explosives.

However, it has several properties which enable him to be integrated within the Torpille S and thus to have a destroying capacity more important than the other explosives then used, like the Lyddite. The German army adopted it in 1902, while the Britanniques gradually integrated it into their arsenal starting from 1907.

Thus, during the First World War, the destroying capacity of the torpedes of the German military navy was more important than that of the British because they exploded after to have perforated the hull, while the British torpedes exploded with its contact and thus dissipated outside the boat part of the energy released by the explosion.

Chemistry

The TNT is a chemical compound of aromatic type Hydrocarbure Cristal flax.

It is prepared by nitration of the Toluène, ( C ₆ H ₅ C H ₃) .

Explosive

In its refined form, trinitrotoluene is relatively stable and less sensitive than the Nitroglycérine to the shocks and transport. Its explosive action must be started by a detonator. It does not interact with metals and does not absorb water, which ensures a stability for rather long storages to him, contrary to the Dynamite, but it can form unstable compounds in contact with alkaline metals.

The specific energy of combustion of the TNT is of 4,6 Méga Joule/kg, that is to say 1 kiloton TNT = 4,6 TJ (Téra Joule), 1 megaton of TNT = 4,6 PJ (Péta Joule). However, by convention, when one measures the energy released during an explosion, one uses the conversion factor 1 kg of TNT = 10⁶ calories ≈ 4,2 MJ/kg.

One can notice that the explosives (non-nuclear) produce less energy per kilogram than food products like the fat contents (38 Méga Joule/kg) or sweetens it (17 Méga Joule/kg). One can note three essential differences between these figures:

specific energies of combustion of ordinary fuels are calculated without taking account of the oxygen mass necessary to combustion: if one holds account of it, it is necessary to divide the figure by more than four for the fat contents, and approximately two for sugars;
the combustion of the nitrated explosives being done without atmospheric oxygen contribution, it is far from being complete: the quantity of oxygen available is for the TNT only one third approximately to what would be necessary for a complete combustion;
However, the explosives have effects much more destroying, because they release their energy almost instantaneously, not having need for oxygen external for their combustion.

Units to indicate the power of the bombs:

the power of the bombs, in particular of the atomic bombs, is often indicated by an equivalent in TNT. One then uses the “kiloton” (1 000 tons of TNT) or the “megaton” (1 000.000 tons of TNT).

the bomb released on Hiroshima in 1945 had for example a power of approximately 15 kilotons, that is to say 15.000 tons of TNT (a cube of TNT of 21 side meters). The the most powerful H-bomb ever tested (record held by the Soviet Union with the Tsar Bent , or the Queen of the bombs) was equivalent to 50 megatons, 50 million tons of TNT (or a cube of TNT of about 315 meters on side).

Toxicity

Many army grounds are contaminated by the TNT. An exposure to strong amounts can cause Anémie S and diseases of the Foie. One also observed hypertrophies of the Rate and effects negative for the Immune system in animals which had introduced and breathed of trinitrotoluene, as well as cutaneous irritations. The other effects Délétère S are a fall of the male Fertilité and a risk Cancérigène (it is a Hydrocarbure Aromatique, of which many properties are common with the Benzène, of carcinogenic nature). The consumption of TNT blackens the Urine.

Sentences of risk and councils of prudence

The Phrases of risk indicating the risks incurred during the handling of trinitrotoluene are:

R 2 : Risk explosion by the shock, the friction, the fire or other sources of ignition
R 23/24/25 : Poison by inhalation, contact with the Skin and by ingestion.
R 33 : Danger of cumulative effects
R 51/53 : Poison for the watery organizations, can involve harmful effects in the long run for the watery environment.

And the the Councils of prudence giving the precautions to be taken during its handling are:

S 25 : To avoid the contact with the Eyes
S 45 : In the event of accident or Malayan to consult a doctor immediately and to show him packing or the label
S 61 : To avoid the rejection in the environment. To consult the instructions spéciales/la card of data of safety

See too

Internal bonds

Dynamite

Simple: TNT

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