GB579279A - Improvements in or relating to demolition blasting charges for military and other purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

579,279. Blasting-charges. TAYLOR, J., and IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, Ltd. May 3; 1943, No. 6941. [Class 9 (i)] A demolition blasting charge is longitudinally extended having plane ends 3 and a metal lined arch 2 with coplanar surfaces 1 on both sides of the base of the arch for presentation to the structure to be attacked, either in juxtaposition, or spaced therefrom. A thin metal housing 4 containing a channelled primer pellet 5 is provided in the main charge, a tube 6 having a base charge 7, a primary initiating charge 8, a fuzehead 9 insulating plug 10 and detonator leading wires 11, 12 being introduced into the pellet when the demolition charge is to be fired. The demolition charge may be cast into a sheet-metal container, which may be of 28 gauge tin plate except the arch 2, which may be from # to “ inch thick. The explosive may comprise a cast or compressed composition, or a plastic composition if a container is provided. A cast composition may be a mixture of trinitrotoluene and pentaerythritol - tetranitrate or cyclotrimethylene - trinitramine, and a plastic composition may be made from liquid nitric esters and nitrocellulose, optionally including aromatic nitro-compounds. As compressed compositions, hot mixtures of trinitrotoluene and ammonium nitrate may be used. The charge may be provided with a number of explosive priming means spaced along its length and the demolition charges may be assembled in straight lines or end to end at angles to each other to obtain continuous clefts, e.g. in thick armour plate.