NITROGUANIDINE:

Nitroguanidine is the explosve incorporated in the Navy's new double based propellant powder, SPCG. It is unusual in being a high explosive that is so cool in its reaction that it explodes without flash. It is comparable in strenght to TNT and  its sensitivity is of the same order. Its rate of detonation is 24,400 ft/sec at a density of 1.50.

AMATOL:

Amatol, a substitute of TNT, is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and TNT; the percent-age of ammonium nitrate, depending upon the availability of TNT, has varied from 40% to 80%. Its power and brisance descrease with the increasing percentage of nitrate, and its sensitivity descreases at the same time. However, it is still a fairly good high explosive even when the TNT is reduced to 20%. 80/20 cannot be cast since it is not fluid enough to pour even when TNT is molten and it therefore must be loaded by extrusion. Amatol has a disadvantage in that it is very hygroscopic and  therefore is usually protected by a sealing pour of pure TNT.

The velocity of detonation of 50/50 is 19,700 ft/sec at a density of 1.54. Its Labora-tory Impact Value is 93. Its Bullet Impact Value is about 100. Its color is buff.

COMPOSITION B:

Composition B is intended to be used as a more powerful replacement for TNT in the loading of some of the large size G.P. bombs, and in frag. bombs. It will be used where an exploisve with more power and brisance is of tactical advantage and there is no object-ion to a slight increase in sensitivity.

Composition B1 is a mixture of 59% RDX, 40% TNT and 1% wax. Composition B2 is a mixture of 60% RDX, 40% TNT. The TNT cute down the sensitivity of the RDX to a safe range and lowers the melting point to 81 degrees C, allowing the material to be cast loa-ded.

Composition B might be detonated low order by bullet impact but it is almost as in-sensitive as TNT in this respect. It has an extremely high shaped charge efficiency. Its velocity of detonation is 24,500 ft/sec. at a density of 1.60. Its total energy of blast in air is about 116% of that of TNT. Its Laboratory Impact Value is 79. Its Bullet Impact Value is 79. Its color is yellow to brown.

TORPEX:

Torpex is one of the explosives developed during this war to be used mainly in under-water ordnance. The original Torpex (Torpex 1) was a mixture of 45% RDX, 37% TNT, 18% Aluminum powder (1% wax added). Torpex 2, which is now being used, is 42% RDX, 40% TNT, 18% Aluminum powder (1% wax added). It is used in mine, torpedo warheads, and depth bombs. Torpex is more sensitive than TNT; its bullet impact and drop test sensitivities are of the same order as those of tetryl. It is quite stable in stowage though it produce gas causing pressure in the case. It is insensitive enough to stand all normal handling. Its melting point is low enough for it to be cast loaded. Its velocity of detona-tion is 24,000 ft/sec at a density of 1.72. It is 141% as powerful as TNT. Its Laboratory Impact Value is 53. Its Bullet Impact Value is 48. Its color is slate grey.

DBX: (Depth bomb explosive)

DBX is another Aluminized RDX mixture and its name suggests its intended use. It is 21% RDX, 21% Aluminum Nitrate, 40% TNT, 18% Aluminum. It was designed to replace Torpex which closely resembles in sensitivity, strenght, brisance, and energy of shock in water, but half of the strategic RDX in Torpex is replaced by Ammonium Nitrate in DBX. It will probably not be used as the present supply of RDX seems adequate to meet the de-mand. DBX can be cast though its metling range of 98 - 105 degrees C is about the up-per limit. Its velocity of detonation is 22,300 ft/sec at a density of 1.68. It is 143% powerful as TNT underwater. Its Laboratory Impact Value is not given. Its Bullet Impact Value is 51. Its color is grey.

HBX:

HBX is a new mixture designed to replace Torpex in depth bombs and has been loaded in the AN-M54 Mod 1 flat nose bomb. HBX is 40% RDX, 38% TNT, 17% Aluminum Powder, 5% desensitizer. Tests indicate that it will be about 98% to 100% as powerful as Torpex, that it will definitely be less sensitive than Torpex in both Laboratory Impact and Bullet Impact, that it will be slightly more sensitive in these respect than TNT, and that it will be about the same order as Composition B.

A difficulty with Torpex and RDX is that they produce gas and build up pressure in the case during stowage. It has been discovered that 0.5% by weight of calcium chloride added to the mixture will absorb all the moisture and eliminate the production of gas. It has been recommended that this percentage be added and that the resulting mixtures be designated Torpex 3 and HBX 1.

COMPOSITION A:

Composition A is a mixture of 91% RDX and 9% plasticizing oil. The oil content is suffi-cient to desensitize the mixture and lubricate it enough to allow it to be pressed into AA shells which will probably be its principal use. It is less sensitive than TNT in both drop and bullet impact tests. It is appreciably more brisant and powerful, as is indicated by its velocity of detonation of 27,000 ft/sec at a density of 1.62. Its Laboratory Impact Value is 105. Its Bullet Impact Value is over 100. Its color may be white or buff depending upon the color of the oil.