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  %%       How to Make T.N.T.       %%
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  %%   --==**>>THE REFLEX<<**==--   %%
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  Probably the most important
explosive compound in use today is TNT
(trinitroluene).  This and other very
similiar types of high explosives are
all used by the military, because of
their fantastic power--about 2.25
million pounds per square inch, and
their great stability.  TNT also has
the great advantage of being able to
be melted at 82 degrees F., so that it
can be poured into shells, mortars, or
any other projectiles.  Military TNT
comes in containers which resemble dry
cell batteries, and are usually
ignited by an electrical charge,
coupled with an electric blasting cap,
although there are other methods.
 
 
Preparation of TNT:
-------------------
 
1) Take two beakers.  In the first,
   prepare a solution of 76 percent
   sulfuric acid (found in car
   batteries), 23 percent nitric acid,
   and 1 percent water.  In the other
   beaker, prepare another solution of
   57 percent nitric acid and 43
   percent sulfuric acid (precentages
   are weight rather than volume).
 
2) Ten grams of the first solution are
   poured into an empty beaker and
   placed in an ice bath.
 
3) Add ten grams of toluene, and stir
   for several minutes.
 
4) Remove this beaker from the ice
   bath and gently heat until it
   reaches 50 degrees C.  The solution
   is stirred constantly while being
   heated.
 
5) Fifty additional grams of the acid,
   from the first beaker, are added
   and the temperature is allowed to
   rise to 55 degree C.  This
   temperature is held for the next
   ten minutes, and an oily liquid
   will begin to form on the top of
   the acid.
 
6) After 10 or 12 minutes, the acid
   solution is returned to the ice
   bath, and cooled to 45 degrees C.
   When reaching this temperature, the
   oily liquid will sink and collect
   at the bottom of the beaker.  At
   this point, the remaining acid
   solution should be drawn off, by
   using a syringe.
 
7) Fifty more grams of the first
   solution are added to the oily
   liquid while the temperature is
   SLOWLY being raised to 83 degrees
   C.  After this temperature is
   reached, it is maintained for a
   full half hour.
 
8) At the end of this period, the
   solution is allowed to cool to 60
   degrees C., and is held at this
   temperature for another full half
   hour.  After this, the acid is
   again drawn off, leaving once more
   only the oily liquid at the bottom.
 
9) Thirty grams of sulfuric acid are
   added, while the oily liquid is
   gently heated to 80 degrees C.  All
   temperature increases must be
   accomplished slowly and gently.
 
10) Once the desired temperature is
    reached, 30 grams of the second
    acid solution are added, and the
    temperature is raised from 80
    degrees C. to 104 degrees C., and
    is held for three (3) hours.
 
11) After this three-hour period, the
    mixture is lowered to 100 degrees
    C. and is held there for a
    half-hour.
 
12) After this half-hour, the oil is
    removed from the acid and washed
    with boiling water.
 
13) After washing with boiling water,
    while being stirred constantly,
    the TNT will begin to solidify.
 
14) When the sollidification has
    started, cold water is added to
    the beaker, so that the TNT will
    form into pellets.  Once this is
    done, you will have good quality
    TNT.
 
NOTE: The temperatures used in the
----- preparation of TNT are exact,
      and must be used such.  Do not
      estimate or use approximations.
      Buy a good centigrade
      thermometer.
 