Mercury Fulminate

Mercury Fulminate by the Jolly Roger

Mercury Fulminate is used as a primary explosive in the fabrication of detonators. It is to be used with a booster explosive such as picric acid or RDX (which are elsewhere in this Cookbook).

Material Required                                 Source
-----------------                                 ------

Nitric Acid, 90% conc. (1.48 sp. gr)              Elsewhere in this
                                                  Cookbook, or in
                                                  industrial metal
                                                  processors
Mercury                                           Thermometers,
                                                  mercury switches,
                                                  old radio tubes
Ethyl (grain) alcohol (90%)
Filtering material                                Paper towels
Teaspoon measure (1/4, 1/2. and 1 tsp.
     capacity)-aluminum, stainless steel
     or wax coated
Heat Source
Clean wooden stick
Clean water
Glass containers
Tape
Syringe

Procedure:
---------
1) Dilute 5 teaspoons of nitric acid with 2-1/2 teaspoons of clean water in a glass container by adding the acid to the water.
2) Dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of mercury in the diluted nitric acid. This will yield dark red fumes. NOTE: It may be necessary to add water, on drop at a time, to the mercury-acid solution in order to start a reaction.

CAUTION: Acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled, wash it away with a large quantity of water. Do NOT inhale fumes!

3) Warm 10 teaspoons of the alcohol in a container until the alcohol feels warm to the inside of the wrist.
4) Pour the metal-acid solution into the warm alcohol. Reaction should start in less than 5 minutes. Dense white fumes will be given off during the reaction. As time lapses, the fumes will become less dense. Allow 10 to 15 minutes to complete reaction. Fulminate will settle to the bottom.

CAUTION: This reaction generates large quantities of toxic, flammable fumes. The process MUST be conducted outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, away from sparks or open flames. DO NOT inhale fumes!

5) Filter the solution through a paper towel into a container. Crystals may stick to the side of the container. If so, tilt and squirt water down the sides of the container until all of the material collects on the filter paper.
6) Wash the crystals with 6 teaspoons of ethyl alcohol.
7) Allow these mercury fulminate crystals to air dry.

CAUTION: Handle dry explosive with great care. Do not scrape or handle it roughly! Keep away from sparks or open flames. Store in a cool, dry place.

----------------Jolly Roger

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