The Tiny Titans: An Overview of Primary Explosives Primary explosives, often referred to as "primaries" or initiators, are the delicate, highly sensitive, and essential components within explosive trains. Unlike secondary explosives (like RDX or TNT) which are relatively stable, primary explosives are engineered to detonate upon minimal stimulation—heat, friction, impact, or electrostatic discharge—serving as the "igniter" that triggers larger charges. 1. Function and Sensitivity
): Extensively used in the 19th century, this compound was one of the first practical primary explosives, famously used by Alfred Nobel in his detonators, but it is highly toxic and expensive. Lead Azide ( Primary Explosives
A heavy-metal-free compound, though it sometimes suffers from poor performance in extreme cold. The Tiny Titans: An Overview of Primary Explosives
Lead azide can react with atmospheric CO2CO sub 2 Function and Sensitivity ): Extensively used in the
Crushing a metal primer cup by a firing pin, electrostatic spark, or flash heat.