Demystifying Explosives

Demystifying Explosives: Concepts in High Energy Materials explains the basic concepts of and the science behind the entire spectrum of high energy materials (HEMs) and gives a broad perspective about all types of HEMs and their interrelationships. Demystifying Explosives covers topics ranging from explosives, deflagration, detonation, and pyrotechnics to safety and security aspects of HEMS, looking at their aspects, particularly their inter-relatedness with respect to properties and performance. The book explains concepts related to the molecular structure of HEMs, their properties, performance parameters, detonation and shock waves including explosives and propellants. The theory-based title also deals with important (safety and security) and interesting (constructive applications) aspects connected with HEMs and is of fundamental use to students in their introduction to these materials and applications. Explains the concept of high energy materials in simple language and down-to-earth examples Worked examples and problems are given wherever required Demystifies the concept of explosives Limited use of big and complex equations Questions and Suggested Reading are given at the end of each chapter

This dictionary contains 739 entries with about 1400 references to the primary literature. Details on the composition, performance, sensitivity and other pertinent properties of Energetic Materials such as High Explosives, Propellants, Pyrotechnics, as well as important ingredients such as Oxidizers, Fuels, Binders, and Modifiers are given and presented partly in over 180 tables with more than 240 structural formulas . In detail the dictionary gives elaborate descriptions of 460 Chemical Substances 170 Pyrotechnic Compositions 360 High Explosive and Propellant Formulations In addition, the basic physical and thermochemical properties of 435 pure substances (elements & compounds) typically occuring as ingredients or reaction products are given too. 150 Figures, schemes and diagrams explain Applications, Test methods, Scientific facilities, and finally Individuals closely tied with the development and investigation of Energetic Materials. The book is intended for readers with a technical or scientific background, active in governmental agencies, research institutes, trade and industry, concerned with the procurement, development, manufacture, investigation and use of Energetic Materials, such as High Explosives, Propellants, Pyrotechnics, Fireworks and Ammunition. The book serves both as a daily reference for the experienced as well as an introduction for the newcomer to the field.

The 4th revised edition expands on the basic chemistry of high energy materials of the precious editions and examines new research developments, including hydrodynamics and ionic liquids. Applications in military and civil fields are discussed. This work is of interest to advanced students in chemistry, materials science and engineering, as well as to all those working in defense technology.

Black powder, the world's first chemical explosive, was originally developed during the Tang dynasty in China.It was a crude mixture at first, but over time chemists discovered the optimum proportion of sulfur, charcoal, and nitrates, as well as the best way to mix them for a complete and powerful reaction. Author and chemistry buff Simon Quellen Field takes readers on a decades-long journey through the history of things that go boom, from the early days of black powder to today's modern plastic explosives. Not just the who, when, and why, but also the how. How did Chinese alchemists come to create black powder? What accidents led to the discovery of high explosives? How do explosives actually work on a molecular scale? Boom! The Chemistry and History of Explosives reviews the original papers and patents written by the chemists who invented them, to shed light on their development, to explore the consequences of their use for good and ill, and to give the reader a basic understanding of the chemistry that makes them possible.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.