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This page contains instructions involving gunpowder or other explosive or pyrotechnic compositions. Preparing explosives as described has caused severe injuries and deaths, and is illegal in most places.
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Lyddite
an explosive, which derives its name from the town of Lydd, Kent, England, where it is manufactured. It consists of fused picric acid (C6H2 (NO2)3 OH). For use in warfare, it is melted at a carefully regulated temperature of 130- 140° C., and poured directly into shells, a space being left in the center for the detonator. Lyddite possesses high chemical and physical stability, is insensitive to percussion, and under proper conditions is safe to manufacture and handle; yet, when detonated, it is very powerful LYELL acter, however, causes it to react readily with metals, forming picrates of an unstable character. This objectionable characteristic has led to serious accidental explosions and for this reason Lyddite has been to a large extent replaced by Trinitrotoluene (TNT). The products of decomposition when explosion takes place are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocyanic acid, nitric oxide, nitrogen, water, and residual carbon.