COMMON NAME – Lead Styphnate
CHEMICAL NAME – Lead Trinitroresourcinate, Lead(2+);2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-1,3-bis(olate), Lead Hydroxide Styphnate
FOREIGN NAMES – Trinitroresourcinaet de plomb (France), Bleitrinitroresorzinat, Trizinat (Germany), Stifnato di piombo (Italy)
TYPE – Primary explosive
DATE OF DISCOVERY – 1914
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – Germany
MOLECULAR FORMULA – C6HN3O8Pb
MOLECULAR WEIGHT – 450
DENSITY – 2.9 g per ml
NORMAL STATE – Crystalline solid
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE/COLOR – Orange-yellow to dark brown
INITIATION – Flame or detonator
SENSITIVITY – Very shock and friction sensitive. Sensitive to heat. Sensitive to static electricity when dry
STABILITY – Very stable at room temperatures when properly stored under water
DETONATION VELOCITY – 5,200 m/s (17,060 fps)
RE FACTOR (BRISANCE) [TNT=1.0] – 0.40
TOXICITY – Acute oral and inhalation toxicity (lead salt)
MELTING POINT – 235o C.(455o F.) Decomposes
IGNITION POINT – 310-330o C.(590-626o F.)
SOLUBILITY – Practically insoluble in water and most organic solvents
APPLICATIONS – PRINCIPLE USES – Sensitizing and boosting power explosive in primers and detonators
This is a lead salt of Styphnic acid and is considered a useful primary explosive in spite of it having relatively weak explosive power. The material is very sensitive to shock and friction which aids in its use in primers and priming mixtures. The case of it being a toxic lead salt has caused to it be gradually replaced in many modern priming mixtures.
