Explosive booster
Encyclopedia
An explosive booster acts as a bridge between a low energy explosive and a low sensitivity (but typically high energy) explosive such as TNT. It increases the explosive shockwave from an initiating explosive to the degree sufficient to detonate the secondary charge.
Unlike C4 plastic explosive
, not all explosives can be detonated simply by inserting a detonator
and firing it.
An initiator such as shock tube
, cannon fuse
(or even a conventional detonator
) does not deliver sufficient shock to detonate charges comprising TNT, Composition B
, ANFO
and many other high explosives. Therefore, some form of "booster" is required to amplify the energy released by the detonator so that the main charge will detonate.
Tetryl
was once a very popular chemical for booster charges, particularly during World War II
, but has been largely superseded by other compositions e.g. a small cylinder or pellet of pure RDX
or PETN
(slightly larger than the actual detonator
) into which the detonator itself is inserted.
Note: booby trap
s and improvised explosive device
s frequently use plastic explosive
as the booster, for example, some C4 or Semtex
stuffed into the empty fuze
pocket of a 120mm mortar shell. This is because any standard detonator will initiate plastic explosive as is.
When encountered in connection with artillery shells or air dropped bombs, a booster charge is sometimes referred to as the "gaine". See detonators.
At a purely technical level, explosive boosters are not required to initiate high explosives: a sufficiently large detonator would suffice. However, there are good reasons why this method is not used. Firstly, there is a major safety issue i.e. detonators are by definition much more sensitive to shock and heat than an explosive booster, so minimising the amounts that users must store or carry greatly reduces the likelihood of accidents. An additional economic reason is that chemical compounds used in detonators (e.g. lead styphnate
) are comparatively expensive to produce and encapsulate when compared to the manufacturing costs of explosive boosters.
Unlike C4 plastic explosive
Plastic explosive
Plastic explosive is a specialised form of explosive material. It is a soft and hand moldable solid material. Plastic explosives are properly known as putty explosives within the field of explosives engineering....
, not all explosives can be detonated simply by inserting a detonator
Detonator
A detonator is a device used to trigger an explosive device. Detonators can be chemically, mechanically, or electrically initiated, the latter two being the most common....
and firing it.
An initiator such as shock tube
Shock tube
For the pyrotechnic initiator, see Shock tube detonatorThe shock tube is an instrument used to replicate and direct blast waves at a sensor or a model in order to simulate actual explosions and their effects, usually on a smaller scale...
, cannon fuse
Fuse (explosives)
In an explosive, pyrotechnic device or military munition, a fuse is the part of the device that initiates function. In common usage, the word fuse is used indiscriminately...
(or even a conventional detonator
Detonator
A detonator is a device used to trigger an explosive device. Detonators can be chemically, mechanically, or electrically initiated, the latter two being the most common....
) does not deliver sufficient shock to detonate charges comprising TNT, Composition B
Composition B
Composition B, colloquially "comp B", is an explosive consisting of castable mixtures of RDX and TNT. It is used as the main explosive filling in artillery projectiles, rockets, land mines, hand grenades, sticky bombs and various other munitions...
, ANFO
ANFO
ANFO is a widely used bulk industrial explosive mixture. It consists of 94 percent porous prilled ammonium nitrate , that acts as the oxidizing agent and absorbent for the fuel — six percent Number 2 Fuel Oil...
and many other high explosives. Therefore, some form of "booster" is required to amplify the energy released by the detonator so that the main charge will detonate.
Tetryl
Tetryl
2,4,6-Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine commonly referred to as tetryl is a sensitive explosive compound used to make detonators and explosive booster charges....
was once a very popular chemical for booster charges, particularly during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but has been largely superseded by other compositions e.g. a small cylinder or pellet of pure RDX
RDX
RDX, an initialism for Research Department Explosive, is an explosive nitroamine widely used in military and industrial applications. It was developed as an explosive which was more powerful than TNT, and it saw wide use in WWII. RDX is also known as cyclonite, hexogen , and T4...
or PETN
PETN
Pentaerythritol tetranitrate , also known as PENT, PENTA, TEN, corpent, penthrite , is the nitrate ester of pentaerythritol. Penta refers to the five carbon atoms of the neopentane skeleton.PETN is most well known as an explosive...
(slightly larger than the actual detonator
Detonator
A detonator is a device used to trigger an explosive device. Detonators can be chemically, mechanically, or electrically initiated, the latter two being the most common....
) into which the detonator itself is inserted.
Note: booby trap
Booby trap
A booby trap is a device designed to harm or surprise a person, unknowingly triggered by the presence or actions of the victim. As the word trap implies, they often have some form of bait designed to lure the victim towards it. However, in other cases the device is placed on busy roads or is...
s and improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s frequently use plastic explosive
Plastic explosive
Plastic explosive is a specialised form of explosive material. It is a soft and hand moldable solid material. Plastic explosives are properly known as putty explosives within the field of explosives engineering....
as the booster, for example, some C4 or Semtex
Semtex
Semtex is a general-purpose plastic explosive containing RDX and PETN. It is used in commercial blasting, demolition, and in certain military applications. Semtex became notoriously popular with terrorists because it was, until recently, extremely difficult to detect, as in the case of Pan Am...
stuffed into the empty fuze
Fuze
Fuze Beverage, commercially referred to as just Fuze , is a manufacturer of teas and non-carbonated fruit drinks enriched with vitamins. Currently the brand consists of five vitamin-infused lines: Slenderize, Refresh, Tea, Defensify, and Vitalize...
pocket of a 120mm mortar shell. This is because any standard detonator will initiate plastic explosive as is.
When encountered in connection with artillery shells or air dropped bombs, a booster charge is sometimes referred to as the "gaine". See detonators.
At a purely technical level, explosive boosters are not required to initiate high explosives: a sufficiently large detonator would suffice. However, there are good reasons why this method is not used. Firstly, there is a major safety issue i.e. detonators are by definition much more sensitive to shock and heat than an explosive booster, so minimising the amounts that users must store or carry greatly reduces the likelihood of accidents. An additional economic reason is that chemical compounds used in detonators (e.g. lead styphnate
Lead styphnate
Lead styphnate , whose name is derived from styphnic acid, is an explosive used as a component in primer and detonator mixtures for less sensitive secondary explosives....
) are comparatively expensive to produce and encapsulate when compared to the manufacturing costs of explosive boosters.