A NEW OR IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE OR DEFLAGRATING COMPOUND
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gerard Wenzeslaus von Nawrocki, of the Firm of
J. Brandt and G. W. von Nawrocki, Patent Solicitors and Civil Engineers,
of No. 124, Leipzigerstrasse, Berlin, in the German Empire, for an Invention
of "A NEW OR IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE OR DEFLAGRATING COMPOUND."
A communication by Robert H. Dimock, of the City and County of New
Haven, State of Connecticut, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Gerard Wenzeslaus von
Nawrocki at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June
1880.
GERARD WENZESLAUS VON NAWROCKI, of the Firm of J. Brandt and G. W.
von Nawrocki, Patent Solicitors and Civil Engineers, of No. 124, Leipziger-
strasse, Berlin, in the German Empire. " A NEW OR IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE OR
DEFLAGRATING COMPOUND." [A communication by Robert H. Dimock, of the City
and County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to a method of rendering amorphous phosphorus available
for use in the manufacture of explosive or deflagrating compounds.
Amorphous phosphorus can be successfully used in the manufacture of explosive
and deflagrating compounds, provided, firstly, that all crude phosphorus and oxides
of phosphorus are removed from it in such manner that they either escape
altogether from the final compound, or if they remain in it, they remain as forming
insoluble salts with other elements, and are thus impervious to damp and to
atmospheric changes; secondly, provided that such elements are added to the
amorphous phosphorus, that even though excluded from the external air it shall be
supplied with sufficient oxygen to enable it to deflagrate when properly treated;
thirdly, that such further elements are added as when rubbed or struck shall cause
such deflagration.
It is obvious that if the chemical agents employed to react upon the crude
amorphous phosphorus and its oxides form therewith a deliquescent salt which
remains in the compound, it will be found difficult or impossible, according to the
results of experiments made, to render the final compound impervious to atmospheric
influences.
The chemical agents used in the present process to react upon the crude
phosphorus and its oxides, and to furnish the necessary oxygen, are the metallic
oxides, especially those which are in combination with a weak acid. One which
gives uniformly satisfactory results is plumbic plumbate,

page_text: The chemical agents used to effect deflagration belong to that class of substances
of which chlorate of potass is a type, and of these chlorate of potass itself gives
satisfactory results.
The method employed to produce the desired results by means of these chemical
agents is the following:-To a sufficient quantity of water to render the whole
mixture of a fluid consistency, add amorphous phosphorus and mix thoroughly,
then add plumbic plumbate until effervescence ceases, then add chlorate of potass in
about the same quantity as the amorphous phosphorus. The proper proportions of
the ingredients will depend in part upon their purity, and in part upon the desired
sensitiveness of the final compound.
The formula which has given the best results with the ingredients as ordinarily
found in commerce is the following
Amorphous phosphorus -
Plumbic plumbate
Chlorate of potass
-
(by weight) two parts.
33
رو
eight parts.
two parts.
The product resulting from this method of treating amorphous phosphorus is a
new explosive or deflagrating compound, which may be advantageously applied in
lieu of fulminate of mercury and other deflagrating compounds, wherever such or
analogous compounds are used in military and industrial practice.
If an insufficient amount of plumbic plumbate is added, some crude amorphous
phosphorus or oxide of phosphorus is likely to remain uncombined in the mixture,
rendering the final compound liable to spontaneous combustion, and to be affected
by dampness. If an excessive amount of plumbic plumbate is added, the excess
is likely to remain in the final compound, and after deflagration may remain as
a residue (which in the application to cartridges will cause fouling).
An increase in the amount of chlorate of potass renders the final compound
more sensitive; the contrary effect may be produced by reducing the amount of
the said substance.
It will therefore be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
proportions stated in the formula herein given, inasmuch as the proportion of 3
plumbic plumbate may be varied within reasonable limits without materially
.impairing the molecular power of the deflagration in the final compound; while
the proportion of chlorate of potass may also be varied within reasonable limits,
with the effect of producing a greater or less degree of sensitiveness in the final
compound. It will also be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
order of operations as stated in this formula.
If the chlorate of potass is added to the amorphous phosphorus before the
plumbic plumbate is added, the union of the amorphous phosphorus with the
plumbic plumbate is less readily and thoroughly effected, and the effervescence is
less brisk and discernible; but in so far as chemical combination is attained, the
final compound will be found to possess the power of deflagration.
It will also be understood that although it is preferable to use the plumbie
plumbate for the purpose of reacting upon the crude phosphorus and oxides of
phosphorus, I do not confine myself to the use of this salt for the purpose indicated,
inasmuch as by the use of other combinations of the higher oxides of lead, and by
the use of oxides of other metals, similar but less satisfactory results may be
obtained.
It will also be understood that I do not confine myself to the use of chlorate of
potass for the purpose indicated, inasmuch as the ignition or deflagration of the
amorphous phosphorus may be effected by other chemical bodies analogous to the
said chlorate of potass.
It will also be understood that in the application of the final compound to
specific purposes, the addition of chemically inert bodies, as for example, gums,
resins, etc., may become desirable either as vehicles for the final compound or
simply as diluents.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Gerard Wenzeslaus von Nawrocki in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th November 1880.
GERARD WENZESLAUS VON NAWROCKI, of the Firm of J. Brandt and G. W.
von Nawrocki, Patent Solicitors and Civil Engineers, of No. 124, Leipziger-
strasse, Berlin, in the German Empire. "A NEW OR IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE OR
DEFLAGRATING COMPOUND." A communication by Robert H. Dimock, of the City
and County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, United States of America.
This Invention relates to a method of rendering amorphous phosphorus available
for use in the manufacture of explosive or deflagrating compounds.
Amorphous phosphorus can be successfully used in the manufacture of explosive
and deflagrating compounds, provided, firstly, that all crude phosporus and oxides
of phosphorus are removed from it in such manner that they either escape
altogether from the final compound, or if they remain in it, they remain as forming
insoluble salts with other elements, and are thus impervious to damp and to
atmospheric changes; secondly, provided that such elements are added to the
amorphous phosphorus, whereby even though excluded from the external air, it
shall be supplied with sufficient oxygen to enable it to deflagrate when properly
treated; thirdly, that such further elements are added as when rubbed or struck
shall cause such deflagration.
It is obvious that if the chemical agents employed to react upon the crude
amorphous phosphorus and its oxides form therewith a deliquescent salt which
remains in the compound, it will be found difficult or impossible, according to
the results of experiments made, to render the final compound impervious to
atmospheric influences.
The chemical agents used in the present process to react upon the crude
phosphorus and its oxides, and to furnish the necessary oxygen, are the metallic
oxides, especially those which are in combination with a weak acid. One which
gives uniformly satisfactory results is plumbic plumbate.
The chemical agents used to effect deflagration belong to that class of substances
of which chlorate of potass is a type, and of these chlorate of potass itself gives
satisfactory results.
The method employed to produce the desired results by means of these chemical
agents is the following:-To a sufficient quantity of water to render the whole
mixture of a fluid consistency, add amorphous phosphorus and mix thoroughly,
then add plumbic plumbate until effervescence ceases, then add chlorate of potass
in about the same quantity as the amorphous phosphorus. The proper proportions
of the ingredients will depend in part upon their purity, and in part upon the
desired sensitiveness of the final compound.
The formula which has given the best results with the ingredients as ordinarily
found in commerce is the following:-
Amorphous phosphorus -
Plumbic plumbate
Chlorate of potass
-
(by weight) two parts.
do. eight parts.
do. two parts.
The product resulting from this method of treating amorphous phosphorus is a
new explosive or deflagrating compound, which may be advantageously applied in
lieu of fulminate of mercury and other deflagrating compounds, wherever such or
analogous compounds are used in military and industrial practice.
If an insufficient amount of plumbic plumbate is added, some crude phosphorus
or oxide of phosphorus is likely to remain uncombined in the mixture, rendering
the final compound liable to spontaneous combustion, and to be affected by
dampness. If an excessive amount of plumbic plumbate is added, the excess is

page_text: likely to remain in the final compound, and after deflagration may remain as a
residue (which in the application to cartridges will cause fouling).
An increase in the amount of chlorate of potass renders the final compound more
sensitive; the contrary effect may be produced by reducing the amount of the said
substance.
It will therefore be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
proportions stated in the formula herein given, inasmuch as the proportion of
plumbic plumbate may be varied within reasonable limits without materially
impairing the molecular power of the deflagration in the final compound; while the
proportion of chlorate of potass may also be varied within reasonable limits, with
the effect of producing a greater or less degree of sensitiveness in the final
compound.
It will also be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise order of
operations as stated in this formula.
If the chlorate of potass is added to the amorphous phosphorus before the
plumbie plumbate is added, the union of the amorphous phosphorus with the
plumbic plumbate is less readily and thoroughly effected, and the effervescence is
less brisk and discernable; but in so far as chemical combination is attained, the
final compound will be found to possess the power of deflagration.
It will also be understood that although it is preferable to use the plumbic
plumbate for the purpose of reacting upon the crude phosphorus and oxides of
phosphorus, I do not confine myself to the use of this salt for the purpose indicated,
inasmuch as by the use of other combinations of the higher oxides of lead, and by
the use of the oxides of other metals, similar but less satisfactory results may be
obtained.
It will also be understood that I do not confine myself to the use of chlorate of
potass for the purpose indicated, inasmuch as the ignition or deflagration of the
amorphous phosphorus may be effected by other chemical bodies analogous to the
said chlorate of potass.
It will also be understood that in the application of the final compound to specific
purposes, the addition of chemically inert bodies, as for example, gums, resins, etc.,
may become desirable either as vehicles for the final compound or simply as
diluents.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my correspondent, I claim,—
First. The method of rendering amorphous phosphorus available for use in the
manufacture of explosive and deflagrating compounds by thoroughly mixing by
the aid of water the amorphous phosphorus with plumbic plumbate and chlorate
of potass, the proportional amounts of the substances to be used, and the details
and order of the operations being substantially as herein set forth.
Second. The explosive or deflagrating compound produced by combining
amorphous phosphorus with plumbic plumbate and chlorate of potass, sub-
stantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gerard Wenzeslaus von Nawrocki, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.