Improvements in Making and Applying Explosives.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1859
Complete Specification Left, 24th May, 1890-Accepted, 12th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Making and Applying Explosives.
We, CARL OLOF LUNDHOLM, and JOSEPH SAYERS, both of Stevenston, in the
County of Ayr, North Britain, Chemists, do hereby declare the nature of this Inven-
tion to be as follows. that is to say :-
Our said Invention comprises improvements in the manufacture of explosives which
are powerful but sub-sensitive, an ! in applying such explosives alone or in combination
with powerful explosives, for various purposes, as for example for charging shells or
projectiles.
In carrying out our Invention we employ as the ingredients of our sub-sensitive
explosives, derivatives of any suitable cellulose such as soluble nitro cotton, Abel's gun
cotton, commercial gun cottons, such as Stowmarket gun cotton or that used in the manu-
facture of tonite and potentite, suitable nitro derivatives of oxy-cellulose or hydro-
cellulose, or any useful mixture of such substances, all which we hereinafter refer
to as cellulose derivatives. We gelatinise the cellulose derivatives with nitro-
derivatives of the aromatic group of substances, or with mixtures of such nitro-
derivatives, with which, for some purposes a suitable proportion of nitro glycerine
may be incorporated. These ingredients may be mixed and gelatinised in any
suitable known way; but we prefer to proceed in the following manner. We diffuse
the cellulose derivative or derivatives through water or other suitable liquid ; and then
mix in the nitro derivative or derivatives, and employ suitable agitation to render the
mixture uniform, the nitro derivative or derivatives being diffused through water or
other suitable liquid, when convenient, before being added. When the nitro
derivatives are liquid at ordinary temperatures the diffusing liquid may be cold or hot;
but when they are solid at ordinary temperatures they may be liquified and diffused
in a suitably heated liquid. Or such solid substances may be liquefied by heat and
simply poured into the liquid containing the diffused or suspended cellulose derivative
or derivatives the liquid having been first sufficiently heated. If found desirable the
operations may be transposed, the liquid containing the diffused or suspended cellulose
derivative or derivatives being poured into the other ingredients or liquid containing
them. The agitation may be effected with mechanical stirrers or by injecting air or
steam. When the incorporation is complete the liquid is strained off and the
gelatinisation is completed by heat or pressure or both, the material, being subjected
to hot presses or heated rollers or both.
The following are examples of the ingredients and their proportions which we
employ in making our sub-sensitive explosives, the numerals indicating the relative
parts by weight.
Example, 1, 50 binitrobenzole, and 0 any nitro derivatives of oxy or hydro
celluloses.
Example, 2,0 binitrobenzole and 50 tonite nitro-cotton.
Example, 3, 25 binitrotoluole, 25 trinitrophenol, and 50 soluble nitrocellulose.
Example, 4,-5) binitrotoluole, 45 Abel's gun cotton, and 5 soluble nitro-
cellulose.
Example, 5, 25 binitrobenzole, 25 binitrotoluole, and 50 Abel's gun cotton.
Example, 6, 30 binitrotoluole, 20 nitroglycerine, 25 Stowmarket gun cotton, and
2 soluble nitrocellulose.
By varying the combinations and proportions of the ingredients various gradations
of sensitiveness or sub-sensitiveness are obtainable. We generally use simple water
as the liquid in which to diffuse or suspend one or more of the ingredients, but with
the view of modifying the explosives we may suspend or dissolve in the water a
suitable quantity of glycerine, alcohol, hydrocarbon, or a salt or other substance.
In applying our improved explosives according to some modifications, we may

page_text: charge a shell or hollow projectile with the explosive in pellets of any suitable size or
form, or with rolled up sheets, or in a solid mass; or we may introduce a hollow
block into the shell filling up the cavity in the block with pellets or strips or strings
of the same or similar explosive or with blasting gelatine or other powerful explosive
or explosives in such forms or as a solid block. Or we may roll a sheet or sheets so as
to form a hollow cylinder, filling up the interior in the manner already described, and
suitably closing each end with a plug or with disks of the same sub-sensitive
material.
In other modifications we place next to the shell wall a hollow block or cylinder
of a single thickness or consisting of a coiled sheet or sheets of any of the more
sub-sensitive explosives containing no nitroglycerine. Within this block we may
place a more sensitive explosive containing some nitroglycerine, filling up the
cavity with strips, strings or pellets of the same or similar explosive, or with
blasting gelatine or other powerful explosive. Or within the block or cylinder we
may simply place a block or sheets coiled so as to form a fairly solid mass of the
second explosive, closing up the charging end with a plug or sheets of explosive
material arranged in the same order as to sensitiveness.
In any of the modifications we may interpose between the shell wall and the
explosive a sheet of asbestos or other good non-conductor of heat. Or we may
first line the shell with a non-conductor such as asbestos, next introduce a layer
of inert material, such as mixtures of nitrates of the alkalies or alkaline earths
with ammonia salts such as sulphate or chloride, which will act as a non-conductor
of heat and also be susceptible of detonation; or the layer may consist of salts
having a large proportion of crystallisation water, such as carbonate of soda,
sulphate of soda, sulphate of magnesia, double sulphate of ammonia and magnesia
and the like, which on liquefying by heat will act as a buffer in reducing the
intensity of the shock on the inner suitably fixed explosive. The explosive may in this
case be placed in an inner cylinder which may be lined with a non-conductor of
heat such as asbestos having a coat of solid paraffin or other lubricant on its
inner surface. The explosive charge may be made up of different kinds varying
as to sensitiveness, the innermost being the most sensitive.
In every case we leave a proper cavity for introducing a detonating charge,
and provide for igniting the same, any suitable time fuse or other device used for
igniting the charge of an explosive projectile.
We may cushion the explosive charge within the shell or projectile with rubber
or confined air.
Dated this Twenty-sixth day of August 1880
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Making and Applying Explosives.
We, CARL OLOF LUNDHOLM, and JOSEPH SAYERS, both of Stevenston, in the
County of Ayr, North Britain, Chemists, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say :-
Our said Invention comprises improvements in the manufacture of explosives
which are powerful but sub-sensitive, and in applying such explosives alone or in
combination with powerful explosives, for various purposes, as for example for
charging shells or projectiles.
In carrying out our Invention we employ as the ingredients of our sub-sensitive
explosives, one or more derivatives of any suitable celluloses such as soluble
nitro-cotton, Abel's gun-cotton, commercial gun-cottons, such as Stowmarket gun-
cotton or that used in the manufacture of tonite and potentite, suitable nitro-
derivatives of oxy-cellulose, or hydro-cellulose, or any useful mixture of such
substances, all which we hereinafter refer to as cellulose derivatives. We

page_text: gelatinise the cellulose derivatives with nitro-derivatives of the aromatic group or
substances, or with mixtures of such nitro-derivatives. These ingredients may be
mixed and gelatinised in any suitable known way; but we prefer to proceed in
the following manner. We diffuse the cellulose derivative or derivatives through
water or other suitable liquid; and then mix in the nitro-derivative or derivatives, and
employ suitable agitation to render the mixture uniform, the nitro-derivative or
derivatives being diffused through water or other suitable liquid before being added,
the suspending liquid being sufficiently warm to keep the nitro-derivative liquid. Or
such solid substances may be liquefied by heat and simply poured into the liquid
containing the diffused or suspended cellulose derivative or derivatives, the liquid
having been first sufficiently heated. If found desirable the operations may be
transposed, the liquid containing the diffused or suspended cellulose derivative or
derivatives being poured into the other ingredients or liquid containing them. The
agitation may be effected with mechanical stirrers or by injecting air or steam. When
the incorporation is complete the liquid is strained off, and the gelatinisation is
completed by heat or pressure or both, the material being subjected to hot presses or
heated rollers or both.
The following are examples of the ingredients and their proportions which we
employ in making our sub-sensitive explosives, the numerals indicating the relating
parts by weight:
Example, 1, 50 binitrobenzole, and 50 any nitro derivatives of oxy or hydro
celluloses.
Example, 2, 50 binitrobenzole and 50 tonite nitro cotton.
Example, 3, 25 binitrotoluole, 25 trinitrophenol, and 50 soluble nitro cellulose.
Example, 4, 50 binitrotoluole, 45 Abel's gun cotton, an 15 soluble nitro cellulose.
Example, 5, 25 binitrobenzole, 25 binitrotoluole, and 50 Abel's gun cotton.
By varying the combinations and proportions of the ingredients various gradations
of sensitiveness or sub-sensitiveness are obtainable; and the final products may also
be modified when desired by incorporating in them a small portion of nitroglycerine
or other suitable ingredient. We generally use simple water as the liquid in which to
diffuse or suspend one or more of the ingredients, but with the view of modifying the
explosives we suspend or dissolve in the water a suitable quantity of glycerine, alcohol,
hydrocarbon, or a salt or other substance. When a soluble ingredient is used the
liquid must be saturated with it the quantity to enter the compound being in addition
to that used for such saturation.
In applying our improved explosives according to some modifications, we may
charge a shell or hollow projectile with the explosive in pellets of any suitable size or
form, or with rolled up sheets, or in a solid mass; or we may introduce a hollow block
into the shell, filling up the cavity in the block with pellets or strips or strings of the
same or similar explosive or with blasting gelatine or other powerful explosive or
explosives in such forms or as a solid block. Or we may roll a sheet or sheets so as
to form a hollow cylinder filling up the interior in the manner already described and
suitably closing each end with a plug or with disks of the same sub-sensitive material.
In other mo:lifications we place next to the shell wall a hollow block or cylinder of
a single thickness or consisting of a coiled sheet or sheets of any of the more sub-
sensitive explosives containing no nitroglycerine. Within this block we may place a
more sensitive explosive containing some nitroglycerine, filling up the cavity with
strips, strings, or pellets of the same or similar explosive, or with blasting gelatine or
other powerful explosive. Or within the block or cylinder we may simply place a
block or sheets coiled so as to form a fairly solid mass of the second explosive, closing
up the charging end with a plug or sheets of explosive material arranged in the same
order as to sensitiveness.
In any of the modifications we may interpose between the shell wall and the
explosive a sheet of asbestos or other good non-conductor of heat. Or we may first line
the shell with a non-conductor such as asbestos, next introduce a layer of inert material
such as mixtures of nitrates of the alkalies or alkaline earths with ammonia salts such
as sulphate or chloride, which will act as a non-conductor of heat and also be susceptible

page_text: of detonation; or the layer may consist of salts having a large proportion of
crystallisation water, such as carbonate of soda, sulphate of soda, sulphate of magnesia,
double sulphate of ammonia and magnesia, and the like, which on liquefying by heat will
act as a buffer in reducing the intensity of the shock on the inner suitably fixed explosive.
The explosive may, in this case, be placed in an inner cylinder which may be lined
with a non-conductor of heat such as asbestos having a coat of solid paraffin or other
lubricant on its inner surface. The explosive charge may be made up of different
kinds varying as to sensitiveness the innermost being the most sensitive.
In every case we leave a proper cavity for introducing a detonating charge, and
provide for igniting the same any suitable time fuse or other device used for igniting
the charge of an explosive projectile.
We nay cushion the explosive charge within the shell or projectile with rubber or
confined air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. The making of sub-sensitive explosives by combining cellulose derivatives with
nitro derivatives of the aromatic group of substances substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described.
2. The applying of sub-sensitive explosives in charging shells or projectiles alone or
together with more sensitive or high explosives, such explosives, when kinds of two or
more degrees of sensitiveness are used, being arranged with the less sensitive kinds
outermost and the more sensitive or higher kinds innermost substantially as herein-
before described.
Dated this Twenty-third day of May 1890
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.