I bought 150lbs of tannerite... and it went bad.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I bought 150lbs of tannerite... and it went bad. (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:40:03 PM EDT

So last year I purchased 150lbs of tannerite ( Binary Explosives Targets)

https://www.usachemicalsupply.com/

Well, they don't do well in a connext box in the desert. It clumped together and does not go boom anymore, I tried.

. Even with a 50/50 mix of new stuff.

Is there a way to bring this shit back to life?

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:43:42 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:

Is there a way to bring this shit back to life?

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Semtex

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:48:39 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:

Semtex

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No for real.

I tried unclumping it with a drilled powred mixer to separate the little balls. still no worky.

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:49:36 PM EDT

[#3]

Tag

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:49:48 PM EDT

[#4]

it's moisture that causes it to clump together.

Does anyone know if it is safe to dry in an oven? Maybe use a desiccant to pull the water out?

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:50:11 PM EDT

[#5]

What clumped? The AN? Or you mixed it and it clumped?

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:50:25 PM EDT

[#6]

Interesting question ...

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:51:01 PM EDT

[#7]

Nope... It’s done...

It’s compromised...

Just like having damp wet gun powder...

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:51:11 PM EDT

[#8]

Spike it with a couple pounds of 3f black powder...

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:52:56 PM EDT

[#9]

Pour some gasoline on it

Chuck a match

From far away

Like the next state

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:53:03 PM EDT

[#10]

These things happen when one lives in Yemen.

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:53:19 PM EDT

[#11]

Aren't you in Mexico?

See if the local drug lord has some C4 he wouldn't mind parting with.

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:53:30 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

No for real.

I tried unclumping it with a drilled powred mixer to separate the little balls. still no worky.

View Quote

Huh, some of what I had clumped and still went bang. I used a big fork or something to break it up before putting it in the water bottles I normally used.

Are you sure you’re getting a good mix with the aluminum and shooting it with ammo that will set it off?

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:53:42 PM EDT

[#13]

Strictly academic info here...

Tannerite is nothing more than ammonium nitrate right? In Ragnar Benson’s old classic, Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons, he describes heating the AN prill in a pan to dry them and remove any contaminants. I don’t remember all the rest, other than he described making a homemade explosive with it. Sorry, I no longer have the book on hand to reference.

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:54:12 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nope... It’s done...

It’s compromised...

Just like having damp wet gun powder...

View Quote

I don't think that is true. I've read about heating AN to remove water; however, I've also read about that boat in TX that blew up from being on fire and filled with AN.

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:56:23 PM EDT

[#15]

I wonder if putting it in a vacuum chamber would do it.

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:57:43 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

No for real.

I tried unclumping it with a drilled powred mixer to separate the little balls. still no worky.

View Quote

It’s hydroscopic-you gotta dry it out.

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:58:17 PM EDT

[#17]

Well that sucks

Posted: 6/11/2019 9:59:08 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wonder if putting it in a vacuum chamber would do it.

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A freeze drier would be the safest way.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:01:01 PM EDT

[#19]

http://parazite.nn.fi/roguesci/index.php/t-4717.html

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:02:27 PM EDT

[#20]

From the HR

If it ever gets damp and clumps or solidifies in the container, go to the dollar store or closest bargain store and pick up a SS sieve with very fine wire mesh.

Take the plastic bottle and using a box cutter carefully remove the plastic bottle from around it, or a screwdriver to work it out of the hole in top.

Take a wooden dowel about 3/4 to 1" in diameter and about 10" long, and round over one end. Use it to scrub or mash the ammonium nitrate through the screen sieve which will effectively make it into VERY fine powder. Once there it will mix easier and MUCH better.

Been there done that and it works wonderfully. You just need to make the chunks into powder again. It might not be QUITE as it once was but it still works well enough to satisfy the grandkids.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:04:12 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://parazite.nn.fi/roguesci/index.php/t-4717.html

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Good read

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:04:30 PM EDT

[#22]

What's the ratio of dark aluminum powder to AN to make Tannerite?

NVM, found some on the Tube.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:05:29 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
So last year I purchased 150lbs of tannerite ( Binary Explosives Targets)

https://www.usachemicalsupply.com/

Well, they don't do well in a connext box in the desert. It clumped together and does not go boom anymore, I tried.

. Even with a 50/50 mix of new stuff.

Is there a way to bring this shit back to life?

View Quote

It likely has too much moisture in it since ammonium nitrate is deliquescent and will therefore absorb enough water to create a puddle.

Remember that most tannerite is an 85% ammonium nitrate/15% ammonium perchlorate mixture, so when drying it, you MUST keep the temperature low. We already discussed this in another thread recently. I would dry it in the oven at 180 to 200F. That’s enough to dry it but not create a fire risk.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:05:50 PM EDT

[#24]

There was a long thread on this not to long ago, I think you can heat it at around 200 degrees in the oven and it will dry it out, but wait for someone to confirm that don't take my foggy memory for a guarantee.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:07:43 PM EDT

[#25]

The tannerite compound sold to us in the binary format is of a different grade of raw ANFO

If stored improperly and excessive moisture accumulation intrudes... The compound becomes compromised due to the aluminum powder not being able to adhere to the pellet mix appropriately...

The one large mass clump of shavings won’t do it...

Once the raw basic Tannerite element breaks down its very difficult to reverse the damage allowing the powder to function as required...

Been there done that a few times... I couldn’t re-do it to get it back into working condition reversing the moisture damage from excessive intrusion

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:12:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Tag

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:14:47 PM EDT

[#27]

Contact the manufacturer.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:19:02 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wonder if putting it in a vacuum chamber would do it.

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That's what I was thinking.
PVC pipe, two end caps, an A/C schraeder fitting, and a A/C service vacuum pump will dehydrate anything.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:49:22 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

It likely has too much moisture in it since ammonium nitrate is deliquescent and will therefore absorb enough water to create a puddle.

Remember that most tannerite is an 85% ammonium nitrate/15% ammonium perchlorate mixture, so when drying it, you MUST keep the temperature low. We already discussed this in another thread recently. I would dry it in the oven at 180 to 200F. That’s enough to dry it but not create a fire risk.

View Quote

Thanks, but I already have problems cooking food.. AN in my oven might be a real bad idea. oh well, it was just about $300 bucks so not that bad.

Posted: 6/11/2019 10:51:37 PM EDT

[#30]

once mixed, you cannot legally transport it.

Sounds like you either didn't mix it well to begin with or it got wet.

I've done bulk loads in that size range with no problems. in fact I have 50 lbs sitting in a box next to me right now (unmixed) for an outing in a couple of weeks.
You may be able to get some of the crystal kitty litter, put it in a cheese cloth and put it in the container. It may be more hydroscopic than the ammonium nitrate and pull out the moisture.

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:00:40 PM EDT

[#31]

If you've already mixed it, there's nothing you can legally do to it other than to render it inert.

If you have not mixed it, you may be able to safely dry the components.

150 pounds is a significant amount. Care should be used to ensure you don't become famous.

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:25:58 PM EDT

[#32]

Throw it in a food dehydrator, use window screen to keep it on the rack.

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:28:44 PM EDT

[#33]

Tag.

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:28:50 PM EDT

[#34]

Ammonium nitrate is very hygroscopic. You gotta dry that shit out.

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:31:40 PM EDT

[#35]

Leave it out in the sun to dry it?

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:32:05 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
Throw it in a food dehydrator, use window screen to keep it on the rack.

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150lbs in a food dehydrator? damn son you must have a huge dehydrator

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:33:46 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:

It’s hydroscopic-you gotta dry it out.

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*hyGroscopic.

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:57:06 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:

It’s hydroscopic-you gotta dry it out.

View Quote

HyGroscopic.

Like Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Choride, which are both hygroscopic and deliquescent.

Posted: 6/11/2019 11:59:21 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Well, they don't do well in a connext box in the desert.

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What is a "connext box"?

Posted: 6/12/2019 12:00:53 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
it's moisture that causes it to clump together.

Does anyone know if it is safe to dry in an oven? Maybe use a desiccant to pull the water out?

View Quote

First break up the clumps to the original powder form

Place in a low heat oven or in the hot sun, let it dry out

Posted: 6/12/2019 12:04:09 AM EDT

[#41]

This won't help now, but in the future, get a quality high end vacuum sealer and store either in vacuum bags or get one with a jar adapter and store it in jars under vacuum.

Posted: 6/12/2019 12:05:13 AM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:

What is a "connext box"?

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It's similar to a conex DoD intermodal, but with extra letters to make it smarterer.

Posted: 6/12/2019 12:05:54 AM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:
Contact the manufacturer.

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Id give the OP Dans number, but it looks like he didn't buy real Tannerite.

Even here in AZ iv had my Tannerite turn into a ROCK.

Beat the hell out of it till its a powder and mixed and shot it.

Worked fine for me.

Posted: 6/12/2019 12:30:59 AM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
it's moisture that causes it to clump together.

Does anyone know if it is safe to dry in an oven? Maybe use a desiccant to pull the water out?

View Quote

Putting ammonium nitrate in an oven... what could go wrong?

Posted: 6/12/2019 12:36:11 AM EDT

[#45]

https://images.app.goo.gl/6pGKpADBX4dnWv6E8

Posted: 6/12/2019 1:01:51 AM EDT

[#46]

OMG, none of you should be aloud to handle fire crackers

Posted: 6/12/2019 1:13:08 AM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:

Putting ammonium nitrate in an oven... what could go wrong?

View Quote

Not much. Some mild fire. Stanky smoke. A mix of ammonium nitrate and perchlorate, and already combined with the aluminum? The sulfate contaminants in the technical grade perchlorates would be stick your dick in the fan time. The entire reason for binary explosives is to keep them separate until just before you need a bang.

I won't go on, but mixing binaries regardless of transporting or no and legality, and then storing them for future use, even in a sealed vacuum hermetic fashion, is just dumb, because the mixtures will go prompt critical, or effectively useless, eventually and unpredictably. There's enough water of crystallization in technical grades of those substances to do it. Same with peroxides, like hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine, and its peroxide relatives. That's why for a stable compound, you nitrate it, you don't oxidize it. There is absolutely no possible way to store any standard common binary explosive, after mixing, safely. If there was, it wouldn't be called a binary; the things you mix to make it would be called precursors.