Rosco Bodine
March 29th, 2004, 01:41 PM
For those who are interested in technical improvements
related to lead azide , here is a little known technology
which may be worthwhile as a source of experimentation .
GB806568
US2989389
The patents describe a process by which lead azide crystals
may be coated with an adherent film of lead chromate ,
by suspension of the crystals in a solution of sodium dichromate .
The result is a free flowing granular form of lead azide having improved
flame sensitivity comparable with Lead Styphnate sensitized mixtures .
While it may not be claimed by the patent , I would guess that the
adherent film of lead chromate probably enhances the resistance of
the lead azide to deterioration from carbon dioxide of the air , which
would improve its long term storage stability .
Early research concerning double salts and multiple salts of lead azide
of interest , is described in another patent of interest :
GB180605
The first double salt mentioned is 95 % lead azide / 5 % basic lead azide .
Many times I have seen it reported that a small percentage of the basic
lead salt greatly improves the crystalline form , handling characteristics ,
and storage stability of "lead azide" . This leads me to speculate that
in those cases where such improvement is reported , what may actually
be described is the formation of such a double salt containing the 5 %
of the basic lead azide . The interest which should lead to experiments
concerning this "95 / 5 double salt" is twofold , in that such an improved
form of lead azide would already have enhanced stability and handling
characteristics over straight lead azide *AND* there is a good chance
that such a double salt could also be "chromated" by a similar method
as the first patent . The potential of such a product is a desirable modification
of lead azide having significant improvement of its handling ,
and storage and ignition properties over pure lead azide .
There have been no experiments by me concerning either one of these
patents . But they are so interesting because of the implications ,
it seemed worth sharing these references and my ideas about their
worthiness for experimentation .
related to lead azide , here is a little known technology
which may be worthwhile as a source of experimentation .
GB806568
US2989389
The patents describe a process by which lead azide crystals
may be coated with an adherent film of lead chromate ,
by suspension of the crystals in a solution of sodium dichromate .
The result is a free flowing granular form of lead azide having improved
flame sensitivity comparable with Lead Styphnate sensitized mixtures .
While it may not be claimed by the patent , I would guess that the
adherent film of lead chromate probably enhances the resistance of
the lead azide to deterioration from carbon dioxide of the air , which
would improve its long term storage stability .
Early research concerning double salts and multiple salts of lead azide
of interest , is described in another patent of interest :
GB180605
The first double salt mentioned is 95 % lead azide / 5 % basic lead azide .
Many times I have seen it reported that a small percentage of the basic
lead salt greatly improves the crystalline form , handling characteristics ,
and storage stability of "lead azide" . This leads me to speculate that
in those cases where such improvement is reported , what may actually
be described is the formation of such a double salt containing the 5 %
of the basic lead azide . The interest which should lead to experiments
concerning this "95 / 5 double salt" is twofold , in that such an improved
form of lead azide would already have enhanced stability and handling
characteristics over straight lead azide *AND* there is a good chance
that such a double salt could also be "chromated" by a similar method
as the first patent . The potential of such a product is a desirable modification
of lead azide having significant improvement of its handling ,
and storage and ignition properties over pure lead azide .
There have been no experiments by me concerning either one of these
patents . But they are so interesting because of the implications ,
it seemed worth sharing these references and my ideas about their
worthiness for experimentation .