Talk:Dynamite

Sizes?

The "standard" dynamite cartridge is 8" x 1 1/4" (20.3 mm x 32 mm); it weighs approximately (varying by density) 8 ounces (.5 lb; 227 g.) It is based on the gunpowder cartridge for mining invented by Ben Franklin.Although it comes in Many sizes; from 7/8" x 9"" for hand drilled-holes; up to 4" x 36" or so.

How To Section

This is all well... and good, and has proven to provide the user with interesting information. May I suggest adding a "How-To" section to the article ? (I am not fluent enough with this topic to write it)

I'm considering playing around with different chemical compositions and thought that it might be interesting to see household items which might provide the proper components for something of this nature.

Perhaps outside the realm of a traditional Encyclopedia, but I figure I'd comment and see if anyone has anything to say / add.

Are you seriously suggesting we put in how to make dynamite from household chemicals in wikipedia? TastyCakes 05:08, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

Beefart (who happens to have a Ph.D. in such stuff) says: By good fortune, it is not possible to make dynamite from "household chemicals". *** compound is very, very, very unstable and it will explode ***. Many, many people have died or been injured while making nitroglycerin. One of them was a member* of Nobel's family and it broke his heart. Use your chemistry set to make something harmless and funny instead, such as stink bombs. That way you will grow up with your face intact and all ten fingers.

• Nobel lost two of his brothers while they were trying to find why nitro shipments were blowing up. The shock gave his father (also an inventor; of Plywood) a stroke; he died babbling a few years later.70.176.118.196 (talk) 20:43, 25 March 2011 (UTC)

Kieselguhr

I changed kieselguhr to diatomaceous earth since that is how it's packaged in the U.S. and the kieselguhr link is redirected to diatomaceous earth. Rsduhamel 18:07, 15 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Dynamite has not been used commercially for decades.

Dynamite is still kicking and hard, even nitro nobels subsidiary Forcit still makes it. Used it about month ago :)

[1]

This is also my understanding. Although "dynamite" originally referred to nitroglycerine in diatomaceous earth, today commercial "dynamite" is made of mixtures containing mostly ammonium nitrate. It's still packed in the familiar red* tubes. -Wfaxon 04:22, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

• It is generally in heavy-gauge Manila (yellow) paper or similar to brown, grocery-bag material. A Few manufacturers use red or bright orange casings. It is generally paraffined for waterprioofuing, but that can cause a low oxygen balance-- carbon monoxide and other fumes in an enclosed area. Some grades are then "sprayed" , not "dipped" in paraffin to reduce these fumes.70.176.118.196 (talk) 20:18, 25 March 2011 (UTC)

Loss of life

Dudes, we need to find a citation so that we don't have to argue about words such as "considerable". I have tried to find the dates and the casualty figures for the two explosions (I lived there and I heard them) but I have had no success. Can anyone help?

Due to, owing to

These are NOT interchangeable. If you don't know the difference, play it safe and use owing to. The expression "with limited loss of life due to the modular design of the factory" means, literally, that "the modular design killed the people".

Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin is not stored best frozen down because it becomes MUCH more shock sensitive so I deleted that sentence.

11/20/06 - This may be the wrong place to post such a comment/question, but I was watching a movie last night that the actors found a couple of sticks of Dynamite in a freezer and one of the actors stated that once the dynamite dropped 3 degrees it would explode. I noticed this post stated that the Nitro within Dynamite is volatile when frozen so it seems there is partial truth to this but is it true about the degree drop causing it to explode. They were stating only a fool would store dynamite in a freezer which it appears to be true. And no I do not have dynamite much less in my freezer, I just from time to time like to see if what someone says is true is so based on some type of data. Thanks and please feel free to send me an email at pjhinde@aol.com if you have data or post it here.

Pat

Just corrected your spelling. Nitroglycerine is safe to handle when Absolutely frozen, below about 56 Fahrenheit, but, on thawing, large ice crystals with sharp edges break loose, causing extreme shock sensitivity until fully thawed. There should be a section on this unfortunate property, and how antifreezes, like Ethylene Glycol Trinitrate, prevent this and also add to the blast. Also, Nitro's reputation for the Worst Headaches. Miners would chew a piece of dynamite or stick it in their sweatband to get used to it. If you stop being exposed, the headache tendency also returns,70.176.118.196 (talk) 20:23, 25 March 2011 (UTC)

Oil Well Fires

Shouldn't we discuss explicitly that dynamite is used to put out oil well fires? At the moment, it is only brought up in the pop culture section. 69.9.28.40 01:43, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Incorrect content?

Why does it say " It was invented by Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Romero in 1866 in Krümmel (Madrid, Spain) and patented in 1867." in the article section and the Alfred Nobel in the History section? - I don't know that much about Alfred Nobel, but I somehow doubt that he was named Romero at any point in his life. He was the inventor, wasn't he? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 192.100.124.219 (talk) 13:25, 25 April 2007 (UTC).

I was wondering that, too. I remember reading about how Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, became super rich, and then made the Nobel Prize thing. Someone should fix it. 24.136.88.151 05:46, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

Sawdust?

Is it not true that sawdust can be used as a replacement for the diatomacious earth? I.E, mixing sawdust and nitroglycerin can also create dynamite, correct?

• Nitroglycerine based dynamite has been made mixing dynamite with sawdust, with sawdust and nitrates to burn the sawdust, with ammonium nitrate which is another explosive itself. Diatomacious earth is inert and served to cushion the nitroglycerin which is sensitive to shock. The other substances used to make other variaties of dynamite are either explosives themselves or fuels that add to the explosive effect while also serving to cushion the nitroglycerin against shock. Common commercial dynamite was usually made to be used in an on-going mining or quarry operation and was not intended to be stored for long because time or extremes of weather can seperate the volatile nitro from the cushioning material (see the plot of the movie "Sorcerer (film)"). Naaman Brown (talk) 15:45, 16 December 2009 (UTC)

Dynamite in war - incorrect?

Nobel later on deeply regretted his inventing of the explosive due to its use on the battlefield as a means of killing. This led him to use the great fortune dynamite brought him to fund the Nobel Prize.[citation needed]

At least the German Wikipedia states that, despite frequent claims to the contrary, the classical (Gur-)dynamite was never used in battle because it was too sensitive at this point. (Entgegen vielfacher Behauptung wurde das klassische (Gur-)Dynamit Alfred Nobels nie im Krieg verwendet, da es zu diesem Zweck noch viel zu empfindlich war.) So what is true? Was some variety of dynamite used? Which variety? Did this really motivate Nobel to fund the Nobel Prize? (Why then are there prizes for physics or chemistry?)

If nobody can provide any source, I'll delete the dubious passage quoted above. --Ibn Battuta (talk) 22:28, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

You are correct dynamite was never intended for the battle field, but his invention of Ballistite and Smokeless powder were. The quotation, if correct, does not apply to dynamite. His wills are discussed in detail in (the English translation of the original German): Schück, H. and Sohlman, R. (1929). The Life of Alfred Nobel. London: William Heinemann Ltd. The book is marked as Authorised by The Nobel Institute. His will, hand written in Swedish, is published in full - but I can't read it.Pyrotec (talk) 22:54, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

I had read years ago about Spanish-American War era use of dynamite in warfare. Wikipedia has articles on USS Vesuvius (1888) and the dynamite gun. It does not sound like a major contribution to late 19th century warfare at all. Since dynamite was mostly used for mining and construction, I would like to see a good contemporary source testifying that Nobel so rued his invention of dynamite he created the Nobel Peace Prize. It sounds like a meme that has been repeated simply because it sounds right. Naaman Brown (talk) 15:32, 8 February 2010 (UTC)

This is correct. A few dynamite guns were tried, The shells were propelled by steam, or compressed air, rather than gunpowder.

I cannot quote a reference, but I read Nobel, like Oliver Winchester was "haunted" by the dead caused by mis-use (and, in Winchester's case, the Proper Use-!) of their inventions. All the ghosts of those killed in accidents handling nitroglycerin bothered Nobel so, that he had consulted a medium. She said he must donate his fortune to the good of mankind to find peace in the afterlife. A similar story is told about Winchester's widow, Sarah Winchester. She was haunted by ghosts of Oliver's inventions, consulted a medium, and was told noise would keep the spirits quiet. So, she had her house in San Jose. CA, constantly added-on too, in hope the pounding would temporarily silence the vengeful spirits. This "Winchester Mystery House" is open to the public. Rooms and doors go nowhere, etc. One wonders if Krupps, Maxim, Gatling, Browning,DuPont, etc, had similar stories?70.176.118.196 (talk) 00:56, 26 March 2011 (UTC)70.176.118.196 (talk) 20:29, 25 March 2011 (UTC)

Dates Incorrect

In the article, it says Nobel invented dynamite in 1866. In the photo caption, it says the patent application is from 1864. As I don't have an encyclopedia handy to look this up, does anyone know which is correct? Comment added 00:41 27 June 2008 by 66.92.217.194.

Now corrected. The photo caption for the patent was mis-titled, the Patent refers to Nitrogylcerin not Dynamite.Pyrotec (talk) 15:38, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

Questioning Military Dynamite Data

Military dynamite has approximately 60% of the strength of nitroglycerin-based, commercial dynamite

This statement is unclear.

Grades of commercial dynamite were rated by the percent of nitroglycerin, commonly 30%, 40% or 60% nitroglycerin depending on use (in quarrying, lower percentile to move rock, higher percentile to shatter rock). 60% of the strength of nitroglycerin-based, commercial dynamite is meaningless. 60% of what? 30, 40 or 60% NG?

My notes show military dynamite is a 100% equivalent of commercial dynamite rated as 60% nitroglycerin.

From my notes from an explosive ordnance disposal manual and a police bomb squad manual, military dynamite is formulated to be the equivalent of commercial dynamite rated as 60% nitroglycerin. The formula given for the "military dynamite" mixture was:

  75% RDX
  15% TNT
   5% SAE 10 engine oil + polyisobutylene
   5% cornstarch

Yes, FM 5-250 states:

(2) Military Dynamite. Military dynamite is a composite explosive that contains 75 percent RDX, 15 percent TNT, and 10 percent desensitizers and plasticizers. Military dynamite is not as powercful as commercial dynamite. Military dynamite’s equivalent strength is 60 percent of commercial dynamiters. Because military dynamite contains no nitroglycerin, it is more stable and safer to store and handle than commercial dynamite.

But no, military dynamite is as powerful as commercial dynamite with the equivalent strength of 60 percent nitroglycerin.

Another source http://www.uxoinfo.com/uxoinfo/ordfillers.cfm states:

Dynamite - Military dynamite is not a true dynamite instead it is manufactured with 75- percent RDX, 15-percent TNT, 5-percent SAE 10 motor oil, and 5-percent cornstarch. It is packaged in standard dynamite cartridges of colored wax paper that is marked either M1, M2, or M3 on the cartridge. This marking identifies a cartridge size difference only, since all military dynamite detonates at about 20,000 feet per second, which is equivalent in strength to 60-percent straight dynamite. Since it contains no nitroglycerin, military dynamite is safer to store and transport than true dynamite and is relatively insensitive to heat, shock, friction, or bullet impact. When removed from its wrapper, military dynamite is a granular substance that is yellow-white to tan in color that crumbles easily and is slightly oily and does not have the characteristic sweet odor of true nitroglycerin based dynamite.

"60-percent straight dynamite" means dynamite that is 60% NG, not "60 percent of commercial dynamite." Also, the term "straight dynamite" means the filler or "dope" is non-explosive such as kielsguhr (in some commercial dynamites the filler is sawdust plus sodium nitrate, or ammonium nitrate, which actually add to the effect of the percentile of NG). So "60 percent straight dynamite" means the explosive equivalent of 60% nitroglycerin. See also http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Dynamite.html .

Military dynamite is a one-for-one equivalent of commercial 60% straight dynamite, and using it as a 60% replacement for commercial dynamite could lead to overcharges: Military dynamite is a 60% replacement for nitroglycerin.

Correct me if I am wrong, bitte.

Other notes:

Common commercial grade of dynamite is 40% nitroglycerin in half-pound sticks 8 x 1.25 inches.

Dynamite in normal working condition will burn in a fire and will detonate only if subjected to shock (blasting cap). However, dynamite that is old or stored under extreme conditions and has "sweated" nitroglycerine is unstable.

Commercial dynamite with nitroglycerin and sawdust often contained sodium nitrate to oxidize the sawdust in the explosion; sodium salts left as residue from these forms of dynamite will cause rust on iron or steel surfaces, as a clue to the type of explosive used.

Nitroglycerin based dynamite will make white smoke, leave a sweet or lingering odor, and handling the dynamite will often give a "nitroglycerin headache" or NG headache.

TNT based "dynamite" will make a grey or black smoke, leave a weak or acrid odor and is sometimes called "the good stuff" because it does not cause NG headache in handling and stores safely under conditions that render nitroglycerin based dynamite hazardous.

When I retrieve the manuals to be able to make verifiable source cites, I may edit the article. Naaman Brown (talk) 13:40, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

I retrieved and read Army Tech Manual 9-1300-214 on military dynamite:

(h) Military dynamite M1, M2, and M3 is a

medium velocity (6,096 meters per second) blasting explosive in three cartridge sizes. Military dynamite M1, M2, and M3 has been standardized for use in military construction, quarrying, and service demolition work. The explosive composition is packaged in standard dynamite cartridge waxed-paper wrappers. The models differ only in the cartridge size. Cartridges are 1 1/4 inches in diameter by 8 inches long for the M1, 1 1/2 inches in diameter by 8 inches long for the M2, and 1 1/2 inches in diameter by 12 inches long for the M3. The composition used is: Percent RDX 75 +1.0 TNT 15+0.5 Grade SAE No. 10 engine oil plus 5 +0.5 polyisobutylene Cornstarch 5 +0.5 Desensitized RDX, which is coated with engine oil before mixing with the other ingredients, and grained TNT are used in the manufacture of the dynamite. Military dynamite M1, M2, and M3 is equivalent in strength to 60 percent commercial dynamite. The military dynamite is safer to transport, store, and handle than 60 percent straight nitroglycerine commercial dynamite and is relatively insensitive to friction, drop impact, and rifle bullet impact. The composition remains plastic at 57°C after 24 hours. Military dynamites are odorless, free from nitroglycerin toxicity, nonhygroscopic, and chemically stable when exposed to 80 percent relative humidity at 71°C for one month. No freezing occurs in cold storage or exudation in hot storage. Turning of shipping containers during storage

is not necessary.

Therefore I am clarifying the article. If someone followed the meme that "military dynamite was equal to 60% of commercial dynamite" instead of "Military dynamite ... is equivalent in strength to ... 60 percent straight nitroglycerine commercial dynamite" too much military dynamite could be used as a replacement for commercial dynamite. Naaman Brown (talk) 14:03, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

You are absolutely correct. FM 5-250 misinterpreted the correct data, which is contained in TM 9-1300-214. As you know (from Table 8-77 of that TM), 60% commercial dynamite is pretty much the most powerful version of dynamite; only gelatin dynamites are more powerful (termed 100%, but containing 'just' 91% nitroglycerin). Good catch!

I would, however, dispute the ordata statement that "Military dynamite is not a true dynamite . . . " As the TM notes, "Commercial blasting explosives, with the exception of black powder, are referred to as dynamites although in some cases they contain no nitroglycerin." 76.125.60.137 (talk) 00:23, 2 March 2010 (UTC)

A Demolitions book rated Military Dynamite (TNT) as 1/3 more powerful than commercial dynamite. In other words; if it took so many pounds of Military TNT to cut so much steel in a bridge; you needed to add 33% if using commercial grade.70.176.118.196 (talk) 20:34, 25 March 2011 (UTC)

Name

Origin and meaning of the name "dynamite"? Drutt (talk) 12:41, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Military Dynamite Sentence?

In the first paragraph of the article it has the sentence "Military dynamite achieves greater stability by avoiding nitroglycerin." It seems to me as very out of place. It definitely does not fit with the content of the first paragraph, and seems as if it was just tacked on. 208.80.74.54 (talk) 16:29, 8 February 2010 (UTC)

Dynamite has Greek and not Latin Roots

It derives from the word "Δύναμις"(=power) and not "Potentia" (The Latin equivalent). It can be easily found in every English-Greek dictionary, it's a very common word that still exists in modern Greek as far as I know. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.242.137.52 (talk) 11:30, 7 December 2010 (UTC)

History; United States

It should be noted Nobel called his powder "Dynamite" from the outset. Some countries, like England, nicknamed it "Nobel's Safety Powder". A record of the accidents from straight nitroglycerin should precede Nobel's discovery, giving it more merit.

The first dynamite company was in San Francisco, CA, about 1867. In order to circumvent Nobel's patent, it was soaked in wood pulp, etc, not kieselguhr, as the patent stated. This was Giant Powder Company; the name "Giant Powder" became an American generic for Dynamite (a copyrighted term). Hercules, in the East Bay, followed. After several explosions , Giant and Hercules were absorbed by DuPont. Giant moved back east to Wilmington, Delaware. Hercules manufactured dynamite, then nitrate fertilizer. then imported it, before going out of business. Du Pont bought out many firms. In 1911, after the Sherman Anti Trust act, DuPont had to release its near stranglehold on dynamite manufacture in the U.S.

Du Pont, oddly, had initially resisted the manufacture of dynamite, spreading propaganda it was "unsafe". Peddlers would show sticks to miners, then set them on fire, hit them with hammers,etc, to prove it was ok. They even gave away free samples to anyone who'd try it. None was made on the east coast until DuPont's Repauno plant opened in 1886. Then, the buy-outs began.

The only dynamite mfgr. in the U.S. to date is Austin Powder in Cleveland, OH. Du Pont now only manufactures paints and chemicals. Apache Powder, near Tucson, AZ, only mfgs. Ammonium Nitrate, and wholesales explosives. This is mostly due to nitrate pollution into the artesian aquifers of the surrounding cities of Benson, Curtis, St. Davids, and Tombstone. There are several Canadian, Indian, European, and South African concerns still going. Dynamit Nobel is the best known.

Dynamite made silver, nickel, and other metals we take for granted now commercially available. The depth and hard rock of the Comstock Lode made its mining nearly impossible until its invention. Black powder was cheaper, but it took seven to nine times as much. Large holes had to be made to place the kegs. Due to its low briscane (shattering power), black blasting powder would only break rocks to boulder-sized pieces, making for more work. Dynamite, though more expensive, was much cheaper to use as it used less, and shattered rocks to bits. Silver prices soared until its general use. (The "Cartwrights" on the TV show, Bonanza, owe their fortune to the Comstock Lode and Dynamite. The initial airings are dated around 1867.)It also made mining of the Anaconda range in Montana possible and profitable. Many alloys that build our jet aircraft, etc, are made so because of hi explosives like dynamite used in mining.70.176.118.196 (talk) 00:37, 26 March 2011 (UTC)