Did World War II grenades contain unstable potassium chlorate crystals?

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In summary, fractional crystallization is the process of forming crystals from a mixture of substances. Potassium chlorate crystals can be unstable and potentially explosive when mixed with certain materials. During World War II, grenades were made from potassium chlorate mixed with plasticizers, but it is uncertain if they had safety mechanisms to prevent accidental detonation. It is important to handle potassium chlorate with care and only use it in equipment designed for it to avoid accidents.
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rectionary
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Fractional crystalisation. This is the forming of crystals from a couple of substances isn't it?

Are potassium chlorate crystals stable, will movement or heat set them off?, If so why didn't hand grenades go off during World War II? I'm interested in World War II history as I didn't study it at school. Apparently the Germans and French made grenades out of this stuff.
 
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  • #2
I found this on wikipedia. Hopefully it answers your questions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_chlorate

"Potassium chlorate should be handled with care. It reacts vigorously and in some cases spontaneously ignites or explodes when mixed with many combustible materials. It is used in some recipes for gunpowder, generally replacing the less powerful ingredient potassium nitrate. Although chlorate-based propellants are more efficient than traditional gunpowder and are less susceptible to damage by water, they can be extremely unstable due to the sulfur present and are much more expensive. Chlorate propellants must only be used in equipment designed for them; failure to follow this precaution is a common source of accidents.

When mixed with other materials, it may form a high explosive. The hygroscopic and slightly weaker sodium chlorate is sometimes used as a safer and less expensive substitute for potassium chlorate. In World War I, mixes of potassium chlorate with plasticizers (such as wax) were the most common type of plastic explosive used, often filling grenades and other munitions. When used in explosives as an oxidizer, the explosive is low order meaning it burns rapidly rather than explodes. When mixed with a plasticizer, it may become high order, requiring a blasting cap (generally a commercial #8) to detonate properly."

I don't know if grenades back then had safety mechanisms, but if they did they would have prevented the KClO3 from at least mixing with other things if not from mechanical shock.
 
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  • #3
This thread is locked. We don't like discussions about how to make explosives here in the PF.
 

Related to Did World War II grenades contain unstable potassium chlorate crystals?

1. What caused World War II?

The main causes of World War II were the aggressive actions of Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, and its allies, as well as the failure of the international community to prevent these actions through diplomacy and appeasement. The Treaty of Versailles, which imposed heavy penalties on Germany after World War I, also contributed to the rise of Hitler and the start of the war.

2. When did World War II start and end?

World War II officially began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. The war lasted for six years and ended on September 2, 1945, with the unconditional surrender of Germany and Japan.

3. How many countries were involved in World War II?

There were over 60 countries involved in World War II, including major powers such as the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Germany, and Japan. Other countries joined the war at different points, and some, like Switzerland, remained neutral.

4. What were the major events of World War II?

Some of the major events of World War II include the invasion of Poland by Germany, the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan, the D-Day invasion of Normandy by Allied forces, and the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. Other important events include the Battle of Stalingrad, the Holocaust, and the Nuremberg Trials.

5. What were the long-term effects of World War II?

World War II had a profound impact on the world, including the formation of the United Nations, the rise of the United States and Soviet Union as superpowers, and the beginning of the Cold War. The war also resulted in the deaths of millions of people, the displacement of millions more, and the destruction of cities and economies. The Holocaust also had a lasting impact on Jewish communities and the world's understanding of genocide and human rights.

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