Chimica delle Sostanze Esplosive

Abstract

THIS treatise is written from the point of view of the laboratory chemist, and contains a very full account of the chemistry of explosive compounds. The author, bases his work on that of Berthelot, and develops the theoretical treatment of explosive reactions on thermochemical linesi When dealing with the propagation of explosions through gases, the work of British investigators is practically unnoticed, and although a few references to papers do indeed appear in a table, they are omitted from the index. The treatment of this part of the subject thus appears to be rather, superficial. The explosive compound are described fully, and brief, but clear, accounts are given of the plant used in their manufacture. This section, with its numerous references to the liferature, should prove of value to the organic chemist, but there is little attempt to compare the relative advantages of the compounds so described as constituents of technical explosives, and a comprehensive review of the whole subject is lacking. A later section contains the compositions of a large number of explosive mixtures, drawn mainly from the patent literature. It may be noted that, whilst many complex mixtures containing ammonium nitrate as their principal constituent are cited, there is no mention of the simple amatol mixtures which were so extensively employed during the war. The closing chapter describes the usual methods of testing explosives, and of performing the analysis of the raw materials and finished products. The illustrations include numerous photomicrographs of crystalline compounds, nitrated fibres, and prepared mixtures.

Chimica delle Sostanze Esplosive.

Prof.

Michele

Giua

By. Pp. xvi + 557. (Milano: Ulrico Hoepli, 1919.) Price 28 lire.