I've worked with AP before, and I've worked with MEKP/MEKPAN before, but MEKP is a pain. Anyways, I have a few questions about APAN... When I tried to have the MEKPAN carry some pure AN with it, all I got was bits of Ammonium Nitrate blown everywhere. Everywhere being the interior of the deceased microwave that it was in. It was, obviously, a small det. So.......... questions:

How AP-heavy does APAN need to be to detonate from a fuse?

How large should this first stage be?

What AP to AN ratio would you recommend for a second stage?

And, how large of a primary is needed to initiate ANFO / AN?

Wow. I so look like a terrorist. I know I should probably move on to another compound, but my HMTD synth worked, then started failing, so I decided to get back on my feet with something easy before returning to it.

Finally, I'd like to err on the side of caution. Caution meaning, of course, being cautious not to waste any of my precious organic peroxides. Thank you very much for your experience!

>How AP-heavy does APAN need to be to detonate from a fuse?

In an accident, I have had a 20% AP charge detonate from a spark. It seems generally accepted that 50% AP is required for reliable ignition-->detonation.

>How large should this first stage be?

A blasting cap of 3g 50/50 APAN would be plenty for the charge below:

>What AP to AN ratio would you recommend for a second stage?

12:88 AP:AN is oxygen-balanced. 10:90 is another common ratio.

>And, how large of a primary is needed to initiate ANFO / AN?

I have no experience with ANFO, but ANFO dets by others I've read about used around 100g APAN for each kilogram of ANFO, or so.

Perfect response. I'm all excited inside. Totse - I love you.

And thanks, btw.

Waste organic peroxides? Surely not! I can't get rid of them fast enough...

AN might not even det in APAN. It might just decompose at subsonic speeds adding to the volume of gas produced.

Don't use peroxides, problem solved.

What would you recommend as my next HE external to the realms of peroxides? Preferably something simple... I just figured the proper progression was to begin with AP, hit the peroxides, and then move to.... no idea.

Any advice?

NC

Organic peroxide explosives are popular for their ease of manufacture. The materials are easy to get and the procedure is fairly simple as well. And yes, they do get the job done. But bear in mind that it is always better to avoid organic peroxides when possible. Other primary explosives may be more difficult to produce, but there are many better ones that can be made without too much hard work.

Look into nitrations though for future experiments, but be aware of the dangers. Read up carefully before you make anything.