Properties Of Liquid-Oxygen Explosives

A study of certain fundamental characteristics of liquid-oxygen explosives has been made. A discussion is given of the factors affecting the life of the cartridge and the relation between explosive strength and oxygen content. The explosive properties of L.O.X. cartridges packed with a variety of lampblacks, gas blacks, and other materials have been experimentally determined by means of the ballistic pendulum, Bichel gage, and measurement of the rate of detonation. DURING the past year, the Bureau of Mines has carried on an investigation of liquid-oxygen explosives (L.O.X.) to supplement the work described in previous publications.' The present paper gives results of the first part of this work, which was a laboratory investigation of the properties of typical combustibles used in L.O.X., and the relation of these properties to the absorption and retention of oxygen by the explosives and their explosive characteristics. No attempt will be made to describe the development of liquid-oxygen explosives, because this phase of the subject has been well covered. The L.O.X. cartridge consists of a paper wrapper filled with an absorbent combustible material that is saturated with liquid oxygen by soaking it therein. After saturation, the cartridge is removed from the liquid and fired with fuse and cap, or electric detonator, in a manner