MUNROE-HOWELL— PRODUCTS OF DETONATION OF TNT. 219 



It was thought that these different analyses were the result of 

 the explosion reaction following different courses, and that if a 

 priming charge diff'erent from mercury fulminate-potassium 

 chlorate were used for initiating the detonation, the explosion reac- 

 tion might either be made to always follow the same course or that 

 a still different reaction might take place. Accordingly, tests were 

 carried out using an electric tetryl detonator (M — 2664) contain- 

 ing a base charge of 1.2 149 grams tetryl and a priming charge of 

 .4650 grams mercury fulminate-potassium chlorate mixture. 



The following table shows the composition of the gases obtained 

 from 200 gram samples of M — 2354 at a density of 0.86 and 200 

 gram samples of M — 2630 at a density of 1.50, using both a fulmi- 

 nate and tetryl electric detonator. For comparative purposes, all 

 these analyses have been computed free from the nitrogen in the 

 residual air and electric detonators. 



It will be noted from the above table that the gases given off by 

 the two samples of TNT were practically the same whether ful- 

 minate or tetryl detonators were used. 



Solid Products of Combustion from Grade I TNT, 



On opening up the Bichel gage after firing a charge of TNT, 

 there is found deposited on the walls of the gage a very finely 

 divided deposit of black soot-like appearing solid. This same solid 

 can always be observed when TNT is detonated where the smoke 

 can be seen. 



The question has arisen as to the amount and composition of this 

 deposit and its effect on the gases, i.e., whether this carbon-like de- 



