What is lead styphnate used for?
Lead styphnate (LS) is a primary explosive widely used in ordnance systems as a component of initiation trains. These applications include non-corrosive percussion primers, stab initiated devices, bridgewire initiated compositions, and detonators.
Where does lead styphnate come from?
Lead styphnate can be made by reacting styphnic acid with lead(II) hydroxide or carbonate. Another route involves reacting magnesium styphnate with lead(II) acetate in water, and, since lead styphnate is practically insoluble in water, it will precipitate out of the solution.
Is lead styphnate a high explosive?
Explosives are classified as primary or secondary based on their susceptibility to initiation. Primary explosives, which include lead azide and lead styphnate, are highly susceptible to initiation. Primary explosives often are referred to as initiating explosives because they can be used to ignite secondary explosives.
Why is lead styphnate used in the primer space?
Lead styphnate is the primary explosive in modern primers, while barium nitrate is the oxidizer that adds oxygen to the explosive. Tetrazene is a sensitizer that makes the primer easier to detonate.
Is lead styphnate inorganic?
Primer mixtures often contain three inorganic compounds: lead styphnate (initiator), antimony sulfide (fuel), and barium nitrate (oxidizer) (Wolten et al.
What is lead styphnate igniter?
Lead styphnate is mainly used in small arms ammunition for military and commercial applications. It serves as a primary explosive used in firearms primers, which will ignite upon a simple impact. Lead styphnate is also used as primer in microthrusters for small satellite stationkeeping.
What is the meaning of styphnate?
Definition of styphnate : a salt of styphnic acid.
What are the properties of lead styphnate?
Lead styphnate is particularly sensitive to fire and the discharge of static electricity. Long thin crystals are particularly sensitive. Lead styphnate does not react with other metals and is less sensitive to shock and friction than mercury fulminate or lead azide. It is stable in storage, even at elevated temperatures.
How many people are exposed to lead styphnate?
According to the 2006 TSCA Inventory Update Report, the number of persons reasonably likely to be exposed in industrial manufacturing, processing, and use of lead styphnate is 100 to 999; the data may be greatly underestimated (1). (1) US EPA; Inventory Update Reporting (IUR).
What is the detonation velocity of lead styphnate?
Lead styphnate has a detonation velocity of 5.2 km/s and an explosion temperature of 265–280 °C after five seconds. Lead styphnate is mainly used in small arms ammunition for military and commercial applications. It serves as a primary explosive used in firearms primers, which will ignite upon a simple impact.
What is the origin of normal lead styphnate?
In 1919, Edmund Herz first established a preparation of anhydrous normal lead styphnate by the reaction of magnesium styphnate with lead acetate in the presence of nitric acid. Normal lead styphnate exists as α and β polymorphs, both being monoclinic crystals.