Imperfections in TNT.

Abstract

A literature search was conducted to determine the extent of explosive crystallographic data in the literature. The results of that search are reported herein. Explosives are extremely unstable and it is felt by the author that crystalline imperfections may play a major role in explosive mechanisms, A general discussion of crystal imperfections is presented and related to TNT. A study of TNT by conventional crystallographic means, x-ray diffraction and optical examination, is reported upon with results and recommendations for further study.