- Sprengel explosive
Sprengel explosives are a generic class of
explosive s invented byHermann Sprengel in the 1870s. They consist ofstoichiometric mixtures of strongoxidiser s and reactivefuel s, mixed just prior to use in order to enhance safety. Either the oxidiser or the fuel, or both, should be a liquid to facilitate mixing, and intimate contact between the materials for a fastreaction rate .Sprengel suggested
nitric acid ,nitrate s andchlorate s as oxidisers, andnitroaromatic s (e.g.nitrobenzene ) as fuels. Other Sprengel explosives used at various times includecharcoal withliquid oxygen (anoxyliquit ), "Rackarock", andANFO ammonium nitrate (oxidiser) mixed with a fuel oil (fuel), normally diesel kerosene or nitromethane. Eventually ANFO supplanted all others because its oxidiser was the safest, and - due to its widespread use as afertiliser inagriculture - also the cheapest."Rackarock" consisted of
potassium chlorate andnitrobenzene . It was provided in the form of permeable cartridges of the chlorate, which were placed in wire baskets and dipped in the nitrobenzene for a few seconds before use. For underwater use, it could be provided in cans instead. It was famously used in the massive submarinedemolition of a navigational hazard inLong Island Sound in 1885. The charge of over a hundredtonne s of explosive (laid intunnel s 20metre s below sea level) destroyed approximately 600,000 tonnes of rock, and created a wave 30 m high.See also
*
Cheddite
*Oxyliquit
*Panclastite
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