ROBURITE—A NEW EXPLOSIVE.
A number of experiments were conducted lately at the works of Messrs. Heenan & Froude, Manchester, with a new explosive, called “roburite,” which is manufactured in Germany, and is about to be introduced into this country for use in blasting operations. The composition and process of manufacture of this explosive are kept secret, but we understand that it consists of two non‐explosive and perfectly harmless substances, of such a nature that they may be stored or transported without special precautions or restrictions. These two substances may be mixed together when required, and, in combination, become roburite, a yellowish compound, which will bear rough handling with safety. We understand that an intense heat is necessary to explode it. In order to prove this, the explosive was placed, in the experiments in question, between two plates, which were freely rubbed together and hammered; and a small quantity thrown upon a fire was merely consumed, without exploding.
Fig. 1.
In order to obtain an idea of the explosive effectiveness of roburite, eight ounces of the explosive were placed on a plate of the very best steel, at the point marked A in Fig. 1, which shows the state of the plate after the explosion. This plate was 3 ft. square by ½ in. thick, and a bulge of about 1 ft. diam. and 3½ in. deep was caused by the explosion. Twelve ounces of the explosive were then placed at A (Fig. 2) on a cast iron plate, 6 in. thick, and weighing nearly three tons. After the explosion the plate was found to be broken transversely, in the manner shown in the engraving. Unlike dynamite, roburite is said to be in no way affected by varying temperatures, and if duly protected against damp, it may be kept for years in any climate, without its efficiency becoming in any way impaired. It is also claimed by the manufacturers that roburite has an explosive force greater than dynamite by at least 25 per cent.
Fig. 2.
In exploding, roburite does not produce noxious gases, and, therefore, may be used without intermission, while the poisonous gases given off by dynamite often necessitate the stoppage of work, in some cases for a considerable time. This new explosive is applicable for use in mines and quarries, and for torpedoes and blasting operations generally.—Industries.