Melinite. A French H.E., very similar to lyddite. Is picric acid mixed with collodion. Introduced by Eugene Turpin.
Nitro-glycerine. Is produced by the action of nitric acid and sulphuric acid on glycerine. Invented in 1847. When pure is a colorless liquid. Explodes when heated to about 360° F.
N.G. in liquid form too dangerous to be used in practice. Was absorbed in porous solid by Nobel in 1867 as dynamite. Porous solid used either kiesulguhr or fullers’ earth used in percussion caps.
| Relative strength | 150 equals maximum |
| Blasting glycerine | 150 |
| Gelatine dynamite | 130 |
| Gelignite | 110 |
| Dynamite | 100 |
| Carbonite | 55 |
Picric acid. A yellow crystalline prepared from coal tar. A by-product of gas manufacture. The “heavy oil” of coal tar is boiled and chemically treated, resulting in phenol or carbolic acid, which separates from it. Carbolic acid is boiled sulphuric acid, and nitric acid is carefully added, resulting in picric acid.
It is a very safe explosive and very powerful. Its chief fault is that it forms “picrates” with metals or acid salts, some of which are more sensitive to disturbing influences than the acid itself. To overcome this the inside of all shells are varnished.
Pressure of picric acid equals 135,820 lb. on the square inch.
Shimose. Japanese H.E. Similar to lyddite.
T.N.T., or tri-nitro-toluene or Toluol, largely used in German army and navy. Is produced by heating toluene with mixture of nitric and sulphuric acid.
Less powerful than lyddite, but is more stable and does not form “picrates” and is not affected by water or air. Will not explode if hit by a bullet.