Tannerite
Tannerite[1] is the trademark for a patented[2] ammonium nitrate/ aluminum powder based binary explosive used primarily as a target for firearms practice. Tannerite is unique in that it is exceptionally stable when subjected to less severe forces such as a hammer blow or being dropped. It is supplied as two powders which are combined to produce the explosive.
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[edit] Uses
Tannerite is intended to detonate when shot by a high-powered rifle. Small caliber rimfire or slow moving pistol ammunition will not initiate a detonation.[2]
Tannerite is used by shooting clubs to provide explosions for their participants in large-scale weaponry demonstrations or other events. Ordinarily, firing rifle caliber machine guns and long arms will not produce much more than sound upon impact of the round on the target. With reactive targets, these shooting clubs can provide a movie-like experience such as exploding cars.
The manufacturer recommends using no more than 0.5-pound (0.23 kg) of the mixed composition at once, for safety reasons.
Tannerite detonations occur at a very high velocity, producing a large explosion and cloud. It may be useful for persons who are firing at long ranges; in this scenario, a long-range rifle shooter emplaces targets, retreats to his firing position, and fires. The shooter does not wish to have to walk down range to see if he has a hit—the Tannerite will detonate and serve as an indicator.
It also has uses as a general explosive that, prior to mixing, can be sold, transported, and stored in the United States without any special permits.
[edit] Manufacture and sale
Tannerite is sold in pre-sized quantities for target practice, avalanche control and police use, as well as by the pound.
Tannerite consists of two components, a catalyst or sensitizer and a bulk material or oxidizer. The oxidizer is a mixture of 85% 200-mesh ammonium nitrate and 0- 15% ammonium perchlorate, while the catalyst is a mixture of 90% 600-mesh dark flake aluminium powder, 5% 325-mesh Titanium sponge and 5% 200-mesh zirconium hydroxide.[2] Simpler mixtures of ammonium nitrate and aluminium powder often named as Ammonal are also known to work.
In the United States, ATF regulations allow the two components to be legally purchased, since neither one is an explosive by itself.[3] However, the mixture is an explosive once mixed, and cannot be transported without following strict regulations including insurance, packaging, and signage on the vehicle. Various regulations also govern the storage of mixed Tannerite.
With the pre-sized quantities, the company provides non-sparking polyethylene mixing bottles. As oxidizers and combustibles, the unmixed components still have shipping restrictions.[1] The company's website does not disclose their international shipping policy.
[edit] In the news
A Minnesotan man was fined $2,583 and sentenced to three years' probation[4] on charges of detonating an explosive device and unlawful possession of components for explosives after he detonated 100 lb (45 kg) of Tannerite inside the bed of a dump truck by shooting it with a .50 caliber rifle from 300 yards (270 m) away on January 14, 2008 in Red Wing, Minnesota. The man was on probation when he mixed and shot the Tannerite and was not allowed to possess firearms or explosives. [5][6] The blast could be felt at Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b https://www.tannerite.com Tannerite Company (Pleasant Hill Oregon USA) website
- ^ a b c US patent 6,848,366, Tanner, Daniel Jeremy, "Binary exploding target, package process and product", issued 1 February 2005
- ^ "Federal Explosives Law and Regulations, Questions and Answers". Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. November 2007. p. 4. http://www.atf.gov/explarson/fedexplolaw/2007edition/index.htm. Retrieved 11 March 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Welch man gets probation for explosion". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 10 October 2009.
- ^ "Blast near Red Wing brings felony charges" Hastings Star Gazette 16 January 2008 [1]
- ^ Barringer, Glen (15 January 2008). "State of Minnesota Criminal Complaint" (PDF). http://www.wdio.com/kstpImages/childs_criminal_complaint.pdf. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
- ^ "Big boom could land amateur bomb maker in huge trouble". KARE 11 News. 14 January 2008. http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=492577. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
