TNT

TNT is non-hygroscopic and practically insoluble in water. In industry it is produced in the form of powder (powdered TNT), small flakes (flaked TNT), or granules (granulated TNT). In the Armed Forces of Ukraine, TNT is used in the form of pressed blocks weighing 400, 200, and 75 grams. TNT melts without decomposition at a temperature of about +81 ºC. In open air, TNT burns with a yellow flame and heavy soot, without exploding. Combustion in large quantities (50 kg or more), or in a confined environment, may transition to detonation. TNT has low sensitivity to impact, friction, and thermal effects. Pressed and cast TNT does not explode or ignite when struck by an ordinary rifle bullet and does not chemically react with metals. The sensitivity of TNT to detonation depends on its state. Pressed and powdered TNT detonates reliably from a No. 8 blasting cap; cast, flaked, and granulated TNT detonates only from a booster made of pressed TNT or another brisant high explosive. The chemical stability of TNT is fairly high; prolonged heating at temperatures up to +130 ºC or prolonged immersion in water causes little change in its explosive properties. Under the influence of sunlight, TNT undergoes physicochemical transformations accompanied by color changes and a certain increase in sensitivity to external effects.