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How to Make Astrolite Liquid Explosives

Compiled by:

-===- The Infidel-===-

9/01/87

Introduction:

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A completely new family of explosives has been developed with entirely new properties, giving rise to revolutionary application concepts that never before have been possible with conventional explosives.

The most significant of the new explosives are Astrolite A-1-5, said to be the world's MOST POWERFUL NON-NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE, and Astrolite-G, claimed to be the world's highest detonation-velocity liquid explosive. Both explosives are remarkably safe to handle and are unusually versatile. Both also can be mixed from nondetonable components.

Astrolite explosives are a product of advanced rocket propellant technology. They were discovered quite by accident in the 1960's by research personnel investigating a so-called rocket propellant that proved so powerful that it consistently destroyed rockets on the test stand.

Astrolite explosives are formed when ammonium nitrate is mixed with anhydrous hydrazine. Extensive solvolysis occurs with the liberation of large amounts of ammonia gas and a new compound (hydrazonium nitrate) is formed and remains in solution. This produces a clear liquid explosive called Astrolite G. When aluminum powder (100 mesh or finer) is added, it forms Astrolite A-1-5.

Formula:

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Dislaimer: Ok you guys, I refuse to take any responsibility for any events incurred by or as a result of the following formula below. This is shown solely for educational purposes and it is not the author's intent to encourage anarchy, vandalism, or destruction in any way. (C'mon guys, this is serious now.)

Here's what you've been waiting for:

• Astrolite G: Mix two parts by weight of ammonium nitrate with one part by weight of anyhydrous hydrazine
  
  
• Astrolite A-1-5: Add 20% by weight of aluminum powder to the ammonium nitrate before mixing with anhydrous hydrazine.
  
  

Aluminum powder in the A-1-5 does not react with the two main components but remains in solution to give added power to the explosive when it is detonated by a compound detonator. Straight detonators (No. 8 in strength) can be used, but the velocity of the detonation will be reduced. The tremendous explosive power stems from Astrolite's amine-based chemistry which releases nitrogen and hydrogen gases. These expand more forcefully than the gases produced by the usual hydrocarbon explosives.

Handling of materials and product:

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Anhydrous hydrazine, being extremely pure, is classified as corrosive and is flammable. It should be kept away from any source of fire, flames or sparks. It is also midly toxic and should be handled in well ventilated areas. Harmful effects may result from swallowing, inhalation of vapours or contact with skin or eyes. In case of accidental spillage, wash the affected area immediately with large amounts of water. Remove contaminated clothing and wash with water. Eyes should be flushed with water for 15 minutes.

Ammonium nitrate is an oxidizing agent and should be kept away from any source of fire, flames or sparks.

The mixed explosive has a lower toxicity than the hydrazine. However, treat it as the same: Flush spills of Astrolite immediately with large quantities of water to neutralize; handle Astrolite ONLY in well-ventilated areas. The mixed explosive is relatively insensitive to shock and can be safely used at all temperatures.

Actual Mixing of reagents:

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The mixing container should be fairly large because the chemical reaction is extremely effervescent and can easily bubble over the top. Because of the effervescent reaction, the liquid hydrazine should be added very slowly so as not to create accidental spillage. The person doing the mixing should be upwind of the mixing process so as not to inhale the poisonous ammonia gas which is liberated during the reaction. After all the hydrazine is added, stirring should continue for an additional five minutes. A small amount of residue may appear. This residue is inert and will not affect the explosive.

Technical Data:

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The Astrolite A family of exposives. of which A-1-5 has proved to be the most powerful and adaptable for military use, is totally unrelated to any existing explosive compounds. Side-by-side field tests in both dirt and clay cratering and in hard rock blasting have revealed that Astrolite A outperforms 60% blasting gelatin by 3 to 5 times, and that it is 1.8 to 2 times more powerful than TNT - greater than any other non-nuclear explosive. Yet the Astrolite A family of explosives is 40 times safer than nitroglycerin explosives under adiabatic copression and impact shock. In demolition, Astrolite A produces crater volumes 3 times greater than C-4 plastic explosive, and 1.5 times greater than PBXN-1, an existing high power military explosive.

Unlike Astrolite A, Astrolite G represents an entirely new approach in the ordnance field. Applications of Astrolite G are so revolutionary that its acceptance by the military - which already is occuring - will mark the the introduction of new concepts rather than the replacement of military explosives.

Astrolite G is a clear liquid explosive especially designed to produce a very high detonation velocity, 8600 MPS, compared with 7700 MPS for nitroglycerin and 6900 MPS for TNT. Astrolite A has a velocity of detonation of 7800 MPS.

Astrolite G has excellent propagation characteristics, propagating in tube diameters below .5 inch. In addition, a very unusual characteristic is that the liquid explosive has the ability to be absorbed easily into the ground while remaining detonable. No other safe military or commercial explosive has this property. In field tests, Astrolite G has remained detonable for 4 days in the ground, even when the soil was soaked due to rainy weather.

Due to Astrolite G's high detonation velocity, only small amounts are needed for demolitions use. An antipersonnel or antivehicular land mine poured DIRECTLY into the dirt would only require 4 ounces detonated by an electrical or mechanical detonating cap. Such a small amount would be devastating in antipersonnel applications and would be sufficient to disable even a light armored vehicle.

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