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    HMTD

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    Iain Chilliemeister King
    The document discusses the properties and synthesis of HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine), comparing it to lead styphnate, DDNP, and AP as potential primary explosives. It provides figures on HMTD's velocity of detonation and sensitivity. While sensitive, HMTD is described as less volatile and impact-sensitive than AP. Safety warnings are given around metal contamination and making putty explosives. The synthesis route provided uses hexamine, hydrogen peroxide, and either citric acid or hydrochloric acid. Proper cooling and washing of the precipitate are emphasized for maximum and safe yields.

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    HMTD

    Uploaded by

    Iain Chilliemeister King
    2K views2 pages
    The document discusses the properties and synthesis of HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine), comparing it to lead styphnate, DDNP, and AP as potential primary explosives. It provides figures on HMTD's velocity of detonation and sensitivity. While sensitive, HMTD is described as less volatile and impact-sensitive than AP. Safety warnings are given around metal contamination and making putty explosives. The synthesis route provided uses hexamine, hydrogen peroxide, and either citric acid or hydrochloric acid. Proper cooling and washing of the precipitate are emphasized for maximum and safe yields.

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    The document discusses the properties and synthesis of HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine), comparing it to lead styphnate, DDNP, and AP as potential primary explosives. It provides figures on HMTD's velocity of detonation and sensitivity. While sensitive, HMTD is described as less volatile and impact-sensitive than AP. Safety warnings are given around metal contamination and making putty explosives. The synthesis route provided uses hexamine, hydrogen peroxide, and either citric acid or hydrochloric acid. Proper cooling and washing of the precipitate are emphasized for maximum and safe yields.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as txt, pdf, or txt
    2K views2 pages

    HMTD

    Uploaded by

    Iain Chilliemeister King
    The document discusses the properties and synthesis of HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine), comparing it to lead styphnate, DDNP, and AP as potential primary explosives. It provides figures on HMTD's velocity of detonation and sensitivity. While sensitive, HMTD is described as less volatile and impact-sensitive than AP. Safety warnings are given around metal contamination and making putty explosives. The synthesis route provided uses hexamine, hydrogen peroxide, and either citric acid or hydrochloric acid. Proper cooling and washing of the precipitate are emphasized for maximum and safe yields.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as txt, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    Over the years I have looked over many primaries to use but have only considered

    3 which were HMTD, Lead Styphnate, And DDNP. Unfortunatly for many the material
    s needed for Lead Styphnate and DDNP are hard to make and/or buy. However instea
    d of resorting to AP there is always HMTD, just as easy to make as AP and much b
    etter in my opinion. I have collected much information in the past months about
    HMTD and have found many interesting things, for one it is less volatile than AP
    meaning HMTD can be stored rather safely without loss of performance or increas
    ed sensitivity. HMTD was even at one point considered for commercial use in blas
    ting caps but it was a little to sensitive to produce for such use, however for
    us that is something that can be overcome with safe handling procedures and prop
    er preparation of the explosive itself. Also the only drawback of HMTD is it's r
    eactivity with metals, it reacts dangerously with all metals and may explode. Th
    ere is no need for metal blasting caps anyway unless you like shrapnell being th
    rown at you.
    Before I move on to the synthesis I will present some figures about some propert
    ies of HMTD and the velocity of detonation.
    The molecular formula of HMTD is C6H12N2O6. The vdet is
    4511 M/sec. @ 0.88 G/cc and 5100 M/sec. @ 1.10 G/cc. Compared to AP which is onl
    y 3750 M/sec @ 0.92 G/cc and 5300 M/sec @ 1.18 G/cc. At first it may seem that A
    P is more powerful but as you can see AP requires to be pressed quite more than
    HMTD to achieve it's max v.det which is extremely dangerous to attempt without p
    roper equipment. Meaning slightly pressed HMTD will be more powerful than slight
    ly pressed AP.
    Being a peroxide it is still very sensitive (as most peroxides), but not on the
    same level as AP. This isn't to say HMTD is a wonderful perfect primary, it is s
    till very sensitive and if you don't respect it you will pay dearly for your ign
    orance. Also another thing NEVER MAKE PUTTY EXPLOSIVES WITH HMTD! This includes
    any nitrocellulose based things such as smokeless powder. If you attempt this th
    e HMTD will almost certainly detonate as the putty hardens. And in conclusion I
    warn anyone to never make more than 60g of this exposive, the same goes for AP w
    hich is even less forgiving.
    Now that you have an idea of the power and sensitivity of HMTD we will move on t
    o the synthesis. There is one mainly used synthesis for HMTD which uses citric a
    cid, I personally suggest using HCl which is cheaper than citric and the HCl wil
    l evaporate as the HMTD dries.
    First here is the synthesis for HMTD using citric acid. You can subsitute with a
    ny other concentration of hydrogen peroxide, such as if you are using 3% just ad
    d ten times as much to account for all the extra water. However lower concentrat
    ion peroxide seems to produce worse yields than higher concentration. This synth
    esis is compiled mostly from my own experiences and what I have read, along with
    the synthesis from roguesci which I tweaked.
    First measure out 50ml of 30% H2O2 and put it in the freezer until it's tempeatu
    re is at 0c to help keep the reaction cool. Next prepare an ice bath and set the
    beaker in it. Now you will need 14g of hexamine which can be purchased cheaply
    online or from buying hexamine fuel tablets at camping stores. Slowly add the he
    xamine to the H2O2 and keep it below 10c or preferably at or under 5c. It will t
    ake some stirring and such to dissolve all the hexamine but be patient.
    Once this has mostly dissolved measure out 21g of powdered citric acid. You can
    begin adding the acid slowly and keep the temperature below 10c or you risk yiel
    d loss and possibly a runaway. Once this has been added stirr for a few minutes
    and place in a freezer if availible or keep it in a ice bath for 3 hours. You ma
    y or may not see crystals forming, either way move the solution into a refrigera
    tor or a cool water bath for around 2 hours (I put mine in the refrigerator over
    night for better yields). You should see a white precipitate and this is HMTD.
    Filter the solution and wash with water until you are sure it's neutral (very im
    portant!) you should also wash with a bicarb solution.
    The yield will vary depending on what concentration the H2O2 is, how low the tem
    perture was kept during the reaction, and how long you leave it in the freezer a
    nd refrigerator. Normally you will get good yields when using 30% H2O2.
    Next is the synthesis using HCl (what I use).
    The synthesis is exactly the same as the one using citric acid exept you would u
    se 20g of Hexamine, 60ml of 30% H2O2, and 35ml of ~30% HCl. If your HCl is ~20%
    concentration you should use about 45ml to ensure complete reaction.

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