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Introduction: Detonators are used for initiating high explosives during any of the
blasting operation carried out for excavation work. Conventional detonators have base
charge of PETN (Penta Erythritol Tetra Nitrate) with a priming charge of a heat-sensitive,
detonable, primary explosive (please refer Note below given on primary explosives),
such as ASA (Lead Azide, Lead Styphnate and Aluminum powder) which is placed
above and adjacent to the base charge. In a delay detonator, adjacent the primary
explosive is an amount of a deflagrating or burning composition of sufficient quantity to
provide a desired delay time.
Strength depends upon amount of base charge. Aluminum or Copper shells of about 6 to
10 mm dia., are used. It is detonated either by safety fuse in case of plain detonators, by
electric current in case of electric detonators, by signal tube in case of NONEL and by
electronic circuit in case of Electronic detonators. Length of the shell is kept to
accommodate fuse head, neoprene plug (for electric instantaneous detonators) and length
of delay element used as per the delay timing (incase of delay detonators). Above the
delay composition (if present) is an electric match (an electric fuse head of Nickel-
Chromium-Iron alloy bridge wire soldered to the ends of two brass foils separated by an
insulating piece of plastic board in case of electric detonators), a low energy detonating
cord or shock wave conductor (such as shock tube), or the like, retained in the open end
of the metallic shell.
Detonators, including electronic, electric and non-electric types, are widely used in
mining, quarrying and other blasting operations. In-hole detonators are generally used to
initiate an explosive charge which has been placed in a borehole, while surface detonators
are generally used outside of the borehole to initiate one or more explosive initiating
signal means such as shock tube or detonating cord.
Surface detonators are generally identical to in-hole detonators with the exception that the
base charge of high explosive is preferably reduced or omitted to give lower output. The
output is preferably reduced to a level sufficient to initiate adjacent shock tube,
detonating cord and without, for example, throwing excessive amounts of shrapnel which
can damage nearby lengths of shock tube or cord. This feature of output control is a
desirable practice in the design of detonators in order to control the energy output of in-
hole and surface detonators.
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Author: Partha Das Sharma (E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com)
Primary Explosive, a sensitive explosive which almost always detonates by single ignition such as
spark, flame, impact and other primary heat sources of appropriate magnitude.
Primary explosives can detonate by the action of a relatively weak mechanical shock or by a spark. If
used in the form of blasting caps (detonator), they initiate the main explosive. An initiating explosive
must be highly brisant and must have a high triggering velocity. The most important primary
explosives are Mercury Fulminate, Lead Azide, Lead Trinitroresorcinate, Silver Azide,
Diazodinitrophenol, and Tetrazene, which is used as an additive in primers.
Initiating charges must be transported only if they are already pressed into capsules. The latter are
usually made of aluminum, and sometimes of copper, white plastic capsules are used for special
purposes.
Primary explosives, have a low deflagration to detonation transition, and go from burning to
detonation very quickly. They differ as to sensitivity and the shock given off. Primary explosives are
reactive to different materials, care should be taken when handling primary’s that are in the natural
state.
a. Lead Azide
Uses – Manufacture of detonators.
Properties:
v Excellent initiating agent for high explosives, more efficient than mercury fulminate.
v Generally covered with Lead Styphnate for sensitivity.
v Used as intermediate charge.
v Good initiator for sensitive booster charges, RDX, PETN, Tetryl
v Reactive to copper in the presence of moisture. Formation of Copper Azide, which is extremely
sensitive.
v Color, white to buff with rounded aggregates.
VOD: 16,745 ft/sec.
b. Lead Styphnate
Uses – Manufacture of detonators
Properties:
v Lead Styphnate is a poor initiator, but it is easily ignited by fire or by a static charge.
v Used as priming layer which causes Lead Azide to explode from a flash.
v Reddish – Brown crystals.
VOD: 17,000 ft/sec
c. Mercury Fulminate
Mercury Fulminate appears to have been prepared for the first time by Hohann Kunckel von
Lowenstern. (1630 - 1703). The preparation and properties of mercury fulminate were described in
much detail by Edward Howard in 1800 in a paper presented to the Royal Society of London.
Preparation of Mercury Fulminate is carried out by a process essentially the same as described by
Howard.
Uses – Manufacture of detonators
Properties:
v Used as a base charge in the past.
v Not used extensively
v Color is White – Grey or Light Grey with a yellow tint.
VOD: 14,780 ft/sec
d. Other
Thus, forPrimary Initiating
the purposes of this specification, a primary explosive (as indicated in the box)
Other examples include: Lead Salts of Picric Acid, Nitrogen Sulfide, Copper Fulminate, Chlorates with
is Red
defined as an explosive substance which readily develops complete detonation from
Phosphorus, Tetrazene, and DDNP (Diazodinitrophenol).
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Author: Partha Das Sharma (E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com)
stimuli such as flame, conductive heating, impact, friction or static electrical discharge,
even in the absence of any confinement. In contrast, a secondary explosive can generally
only be detonated if it is present in larger quantities or if contained within heavy
confinement such as a heavy walled metal container, or by being exposed to significant
shock wave or mechanical impact. Some of the examples of secondary explosives are
PETN, Cyclo-Tri-Methylene-Trinitramine (RDX), Cyclo-Tetra-Methylene-
Tetranitramine (HMX), Tri-Nitrophenyl-Methylnitramine (Tetryl) and Tri-Nitro-Toluene
(TNT) or mixtures of two or more of these and/or other similar substances.
Shortcomings of use of Lead / Mercury based primary explosives: This use of Lead
Azide as a heat-sensitive, primary explosive in the preparation of surface and in-hole
detonators, and in particular, the use of Lead / Mercury-containing materials has several
serious disadvantages. These include
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Author: Partha Das Sharma (E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com)
the detonator and in turn, the detonator directly initiates a shock tube or length of
detonating cord attached to it.
In this context, references of few Patents would be quite interesting. These include - U. S.
Patent No. 2,400,103 (Cobb); U. S. Patent No. 3,096,714 (Yuill), U. S. Patent No.
4,727,808 (WangetaL), U. S. Patent No. 4,316,412 (Dinegar and Kirkham), PCT Patent
Publication No. W097/22571 (Dumenko) published June 26,1997, US Patent No.
5385098 (Lindquist et), and a related European application numbered as EP-A1-0365503
(Lindquist et gl.).
Improved DDT detonator still requires strong confinement, and in particular, back-
confinement of the initiating element. The back confinement consists of a cup-shaped
confinement shell (with an aperture), which surrounds the initiating element. Use of this
cup-shaped confinement shell, together with the preferred use of back-pressing of the
initiating element (as prescribed by some of the above researchers), adds to the
manufacturing cost and complexity of the completed detonator.
Thus, while DDT detonators have shown promise for the replacement of standard
primary explosive-containing detonators, their reliability and ease-of-manufacture have
led to continued interest in developing additional types of primary explosive-free
detonators. In order to overcome these difficulties, other researchers have proposed
devices such as "flyer" plates or incorporation to use of lasers. However, these have met
with little commercial success due to operational and manufacturing difficulties.
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Author: Partha Das Sharma (E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com)
With this preferred mixture high burn rates are possible while also providing
good levels of pressurization. This combination provides an improved ability
to effect the transition from deflagration to detonation when combined with
the PETN. This improved ability can be achieved with decreased levels of
confinement and without the need for back-pressing. Thus, this preferred
mixture provides clear advantages over the DDT formulations for
development of NPED.
It should be noted that the materials used in the production of the delay element / a series
of delay elements are typically not gas-generating or produce very little gas during
combustion. This is in distinct contrast to the high-burn-rate pressurising initiator used in
the intimate mixture of the present invention.
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Author: Partha Das Sharma (E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com)
Author’s Bio-data: Author is, at present, in charge of Marketing & Technical Services in
SOLAR GROUP OF EXPLOSIVES INDUSTRIES, NAGPUR, engaged in manufacturing and
supply of almost all range of Cartridge Explosives, Bulk explosives & detonators. This
company within a very short span of time, it has emerged as one of the leading
manufacturer, supplier and exporter of Explosives & Detonators in India.
Author is Graduate (B.Tech – Hons.) in Mining Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur (1979)
and was associated with number of mining and explosives organizations, namely MOIL,
BALCO, Century Cement, Anil Chemicals, VBC Industries, Mah. Explosives etc., before
joining the present organization a couple years back. Author can be contacted at E-mail:
sharmapd1@rediffmail.com and sharmapd1@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Views expressed in the article are solely of the author’s own and do
not necessarily belong to any of the Company.
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Author: Partha Das Sharma (E.mail: sharmapd1@gmail.com)