1 of 43
Definition
Peroxide-based improvised explosives are an emerging threat
domestically due, in part, to the crackdown on fertilizer purchases.
They have been used in several al-Qaeda-sponsored attacks, including
the attack by Richard Reid, who concealed a bomb in his shoe in
December 2001, the London bombings in July 2005, and the plot to
blow up Britain-to-U.S. airplanes in August 2006. TATP is often the main
charge used by Middle Eastern suicide bombers.
HMTD and TATP are the most popular compounds, and both are
,extremely sensitive. They can be used as either an initiator (i.e., blasting
cap) or a main charge. TATP's main ingredients can be bought without
raising suspicion and assembly instructions are available on the
internet. TATP does not need a sophisticated detonating device. HMTD
is relatively inexpensive and easy to synthesize but is sensitive to
shock, friction, and heat. HMTD reacts with most common metals,
which can lead to detonation.
These compounds are generally in liquid form, which makes them easy
to smuggle and difficult to detect. For example, in crystal form, TATP
looks like powdered sugar. Typical methods used to detect explosives
include swabbing the exterior of luggage and using detection
machines, the latter of which is not designed to detect liquid peroxide-
based explosives. Bomb-sniffing dogs are capable of detecting only
the chemicals that they have been trained to recognize.
Give this one a try later!
Low Explosives Peroxide-Based Explosives
Hypergolic Explosives Urea Nitrate
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2 of 43
Definition
composed of chemical ingredients easily found in any home or local
community, even if large quantities are required. Improvised
,explosives, just like military and commercial explosives, are typically a
mixture of an oxidizer and a fuel. Regardless of type, all are extremely
hazardous.
Although the components to make improvised explosives are
commercially available, assembling them is not easy. A chemist may
need to refine one of the components to make a viable explosive, and
the refining process is often difficult and dangerous.
Give this one a try later!
Improvised explosives Blast pressure
Hypergolic explosives Improvised explosive devices (IED)
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3 of 43
Definition
Friction creates heat as two materials rub together. For example,
walking on loose materials could create enough friction to detonate
explosives in the area. Do not walk on explosive material lying on the
floor/ground. Even opening a pipe end cap can create sufficient
friction to initiate low explosives, such as black powder.
Give this one a try later!
, Inertia Heat
Gravity Friction
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4 of 43
Definition
Incendiary/Thermal effects are the fire and heat effects that occur in
the immediate vicinity of the explosion. In general, low explosives
produce longer incendiary thermal effects than high explosives. A high
explosive produces higher temperatures but for a shorter time. The
effect is usually seen as a bright flash or fireball at the moment of
detonation. A low explosive fireball is more likely than a high explosive
detonation to cause a secondary fire.
Give this one a try later!
Impact/shock Initiator
Incendiary/thermal Aluminum Nitrate
Don't know?
Definition
Peroxide-based improvised explosives are an emerging threat
domestically due, in part, to the crackdown on fertilizer purchases.
They have been used in several al-Qaeda-sponsored attacks, including
the attack by Richard Reid, who concealed a bomb in his shoe in
December 2001, the London bombings in July 2005, and the plot to
blow up Britain-to-U.S. airplanes in August 2006. TATP is often the main
charge used by Middle Eastern suicide bombers.
HMTD and TATP are the most popular compounds, and both are
,extremely sensitive. They can be used as either an initiator (i.e., blasting
cap) or a main charge. TATP's main ingredients can be bought without
raising suspicion and assembly instructions are available on the
internet. TATP does not need a sophisticated detonating device. HMTD
is relatively inexpensive and easy to synthesize but is sensitive to
shock, friction, and heat. HMTD reacts with most common metals,
which can lead to detonation.
These compounds are generally in liquid form, which makes them easy
to smuggle and difficult to detect. For example, in crystal form, TATP
looks like powdered sugar. Typical methods used to detect explosives
include swabbing the exterior of luggage and using detection
machines, the latter of which is not designed to detect liquid peroxide-
based explosives. Bomb-sniffing dogs are capable of detecting only
the chemicals that they have been trained to recognize.
Give this one a try later!
Low Explosives Peroxide-Based Explosives
Hypergolic Explosives Urea Nitrate
Don't know?
2 of 43
Definition
composed of chemical ingredients easily found in any home or local
community, even if large quantities are required. Improvised
,explosives, just like military and commercial explosives, are typically a
mixture of an oxidizer and a fuel. Regardless of type, all are extremely
hazardous.
Although the components to make improvised explosives are
commercially available, assembling them is not easy. A chemist may
need to refine one of the components to make a viable explosive, and
the refining process is often difficult and dangerous.
Give this one a try later!
Improvised explosives Blast pressure
Hypergolic explosives Improvised explosive devices (IED)
Don't know?
3 of 43
Definition
Friction creates heat as two materials rub together. For example,
walking on loose materials could create enough friction to detonate
explosives in the area. Do not walk on explosive material lying on the
floor/ground. Even opening a pipe end cap can create sufficient
friction to initiate low explosives, such as black powder.
Give this one a try later!
, Inertia Heat
Gravity Friction
Don't know?
4 of 43
Definition
Incendiary/Thermal effects are the fire and heat effects that occur in
the immediate vicinity of the explosion. In general, low explosives
produce longer incendiary thermal effects than high explosives. A high
explosive produces higher temperatures but for a shorter time. The
effect is usually seen as a bright flash or fireball at the moment of
detonation. A low explosive fireball is more likely than a high explosive
detonation to cause a secondary fire.
Give this one a try later!
Impact/shock Initiator
Incendiary/thermal Aluminum Nitrate
Don't know?
