A NEW AND USEFUL EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Max Tschirner, of San Francisco, in the County of San
Francisco, and State of California, one of the United States of America, for the
Invention of "A NEW AND USEFUL EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND."
Scaled the 30th March 1880, and dated the 31st January 1880.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Max Tschirner at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st January 1880.
MAX TSCHIRNER, of San Francisco, in the County of San Francisco, and State of
California, one of the United States of America. "A NEW AND USEFUL
EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND."
My said composition consists of the following ingredients combined in the pro-
portions stated, viz. :—
One part nitrophenol.
Five parts chlorate of potash.
One part coal or mineral tar.
In using the above named ingredients the nitrophenol and chlorate of potash are
first ground to a proper degree of fineness by trituration in a mortar or other
utensil for the purpose, and then intimately mixed with the coal tar by stirring
separately the fine nitrophenol first and the chlorate of potash afterward therein,
by which a product is formed having about the consistency of dough, but much
tougher and stronger.
The above formula will give a very strong and powerful explosive, but explosives
of lesser strength may be made of the same ingredients in the following pro-
portions, viz. :—
One part nitrophenol.
Three parts chlorate of potash.
Two thirds part coal tar.
or,
One part nitrophenol.
One part chlorate of potash.
One third part coal tar.
In place of the chlorate of potash the per-chlorate, manganate, per manganate of
potash, or other alkaline base may be employed in about the same proportions as
above set forth, to provide a stronger or weaker explosive according to the nature
of the work to be performed.

page_text: By this means I provide an explosive compound which is not affected by moisture,
dampness, or water, and one that can be exploded under water. The coal tar
holding and surrounding the particles of nitrophenol, and chlorate of potash
mechanically prevents all moisture from penetrating the mass.
I explode my compound usually by a percussion cap in the usual way, but it
may be exploded by fire applied in the usual way and manner which is too well
known to need explanation in this connection.
I have found by repeated experiments that the foul gases so incident to the
explosion of other compounds, specially in mines, and which is so dangerous to
human life by the generation of nitrous or nocuous gases, are not present in the
explosion of my compound, which fact enables the miner to remain without injury
in the tunnel or mine with impunity after a blast has been let off.
Furthermore, the ingredients separately or in themselves are absolutely inex-
plosive, and consequently the manufacture are divested of much of the danger so
incident to the manufacture of other explosives.
It should here be observed that an increase of heat or temperature will not
produce spontaneous combustion of my compound as in case where picrate salts
enter the combination as one of the ingredients in the manufacture of explosives,
and hence I do not wish to employ picrate salts.
I am aware that explosive compounds consisting of chlorate of potash with
earthy and other substances as a base have been used. I am also aware that
adhesive substances, such as asphaltum or a non-absorbent compound, has been
used to coat the grains of powder when formed, but am not aware that nitrophenol
has been used in combination with any other ingredient whatever as an explosive,
or that the other two ingredients of my composition have been used together.
Having thus described my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is
to be performed, I wish it distinctly understood that I claim,--
First. In the manufacture of explosive compounds the employment of nitrophenol
when combined with other explosive or gas producing substances in about the
proportion, as herein set forth and specified.
Second. The herein described composition of matter to be used as an explosive
compound, consisting of nitrophenol, chlorate of potash, and coal or mineral tar, in
about the proportions herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Max Tschirner, have hereunto set my hand and
sol this Ninth day of January AD. 1880.