Improvised Munitions Handbook (Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)

Appendix 1
Primary High Explosives

Description: Mercury fulminate is an initiating explosive, commonly appearing as white or gray crystals. It is extremely sensitive to initiation by heat, friction, spark or flame, and impact. It detonates when initiated by any of these means. It is pressed into containers, usually at 3000 pounds per square inch (20 mPa), for use in detonators and blasting caps. However, when compressed at greater and greater pressure (up to 30,000 pounds per square inch or 200 mPa), it becomes “dead pressed.” In this condition, it can only be exploded by another initial detonating agent. Mercury fulminate gradually becomes inert when stored continuously above 100°F. A dark-colored product of deterioration gives evidence of this effect. Mercury fulminate is stored underwater except when there is danger of freezing. Then it is stored under a mixture of water and alcohol.
Comments: This material was tested. It is effective.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 59.
TM 9-1910, Military Explosives, page 98.

Description: Lead styphnate is an initiating explosive, commonly appearing in the form of orange or brown crystals. It is easily ignited by heat and static discharge but cannot be used to initiate secondary high explosives reliably. Lead styphnate is used as an igniting charge for lead azide and as an ingredient in priming mixtures for small arms ammunition. In these applications, it is usually mixed with other materials first and then pressed into a metallic container (detonators and primers). Lead styphnate is stored under water except when there is danger of freezing. Then it is stored under a mixture of water and alcohol.
Comments: This item was tested. It is effective.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 59.
TM 9-1910, Military Explosives, page 107.

Description: Lead azide is an initiating explosive and is produced as a white to buff crystalline substance. It is a more efficient detonating agent than mercury fulminate and it does not decompose on long continued storage at moderately elevated temperatures. It is sensitive to both flame and impact but requires a layer of lead styphnate priming mixture to produce reliable initiation when it is used in detonators that are initiated by a firing pin or electrical energy. It is generally loaded into aluminum detonator housings and must not be loaded into housing of copper or brass because extremely sensitive copper azide can be formed in the presence of moisture.
Comments: This material was tested. It is effective.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 60.
TM 9-1910, Military Explosives, page 103.

Description: DDNP (diazodinitrophenol is a primary high explosive. It is extensively used in commercial blasting caps that are initiated by black powder safety fuse. It is superior to mercury fulminate in stability but is not as stable as lead azide. DDNP is desensitized by immersion in water.
Comments: This material was tested. It is effective.
References: TM 9-1900, Ammunition, General, page 60.
TM 9-1910, Military Explosives, page 103.