Kinetite

Kinetite was an explosive material patented in 1884 by T. Petry and O. Fallenstein,[1] It consisted of nitrobenzene thickened or gelatinised by the addition of some collodion-cotton incorporated with finely ground potassium chlorate and precipitated antimony sulphide.[2] It is an orange coloured, plastic mass, with the characteristic strong smell of nitro-benzol.[2] It was manufactured by dissolving gun cotton in nitrobenzene.[1]

Developed as a safer alternative to dynamite, its manufacture and manipulation were claimed to be without danger, as it required a very high temperature to ignite and, under ordinary circumstances, could not be exploded by heat alone when unconfined.[2] Instead, it detonated only under shock, and then only the part exposed to concussion.[3] Largely manufactured in Germany, it was introduced to Australia in 1885 by Thomas Wilkins.[4] In the same year it was reported to be both £5 per ton cheaper than dynamite, and more efficient for mining operations: In sinking a shaft, a given weight of dynamite enabled 1.7 metres (5 ft 7 in) to be sunk in 114 shifts, and with the same weight of kinetite 1.6 metres (5 ft 3 in) were sunk in 94 shifts.[4][5]

Safety

It was largely unaffected by short immersion in water, when immersion was prolonged however the chlorate dissolved out, leaving a practically non-explosive residue. However, if exposed to moist and dry air alternately, the chlorate crystallised out on the surfaces rendering the explosive very sensitive.[2]

In testing however it was found to be extremely sensitive to combined friction and percussion, and could be readily ignited by a glancing blow with wood. Found also to be chemically unstable, it was known to ignite spontaneously both in the laboratory and in a magazine.[2] A report of the French commission on the use of explosives in the presence of fire-damp in mines concluded that "The presence of chlorate of potash makes this substance too dangerous, for its use to be recommended."[6]

Composition

The principle of the mixture was the enveloping of each particle of the salts in an elastic jelly composed of hydrocarbons and nitrogen. The jelly additionally supplied material to the explosion.[5]

An 1887 analysis gave the following composition:[7][8]

Nitro-benzol19.4%
Chlorate of potash76.9%
Sulphide of antimony nitro-cotton3.7%

References
  1. Scientific American: Supplement. Vol. 27. Munn and Company. 1889. Kinetite (the name no doubt from , "I move") was patented by T. Petrey and O. Fallenstein (their English patent is No. 10,936, August 6, 1884). As described in their specification, kinetite is made by dissolving gun cotton in nitrobenzene
  2. Cundill, J. P.; Thomson, J. H. (1895). A dictionary of explosives (Second ed.). London: HM Stationery Office. pp. 80–81. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  3. "(untitled)". Otago Daily Times. Dunedin, New Zealand: Robert Nobel Adams. 19 August 1885. p. 4. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  4. "A New Explosive". The West Australian. Perth, Western Australia: A. Davidson, for the West Australian. 10 April 1885. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  5. "(untitled)". The Thames Advertiser. Vol. XVI, no. 5112. Thames, New Zealand. 9 March 1885. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  6. France. Commission des Substances Explosives; North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers (1890). Report of the (French) commission on the use of explosives in the presence of fire-damp in mines ... Lambert and Co., Ltd. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  7. "A monthly record for all interested in chemical manufactures". Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry. 6 (1): 1–53. 1887. doi:10.1002/jctb.5000060101. ISSN 0368-4075.
  8. Sanford, P. Gerald (1906). Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise (Second ed.). London: Crosby Lockwood and Son. Retrieved 4 February 2014.


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