Picric acid, a powerful high explosive, was historically known by several specific names when used for military and industrial purposes, most notably Lyddite in the British Empire, Melinite in France, and Shimose powder in Japan.
Historical Military Designations of Picric Acid
Picric acid, or 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, was one of the first high explosives to be adopted widely for military use, preceding TNT. Its use became prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to its stability (compared to earlier explosives) and powerful blast effects. Different nations adopted their own designations for this compound:
| Country | Explosive Name |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Lyddite (Learn more about Lyddite) |
| France | Melinite (Learn more about Melinite) |
| Japan | Shimose Powder (Learn more about Shimose Powder) |
| Other Usage | Also known informally as Explosive Yellow, due to its characteristic yellow color. |
This powerful compound served as a primary high explosive fill for artillery shells and other munitions for various armed forces. Its applications included use as a significant component in explosive compositions designed for naval shells and other ordnance.
Properties and Impact
Picric acid offered a substantial improvement over black powder as a shell filling, providing a much greater destructive force. Key aspects include:
- High Explosive Power: It detonates with a high velocity, creating a powerful brisance (shattering effect).
- Relative Stability: Compared to earlier high explosives like nitroglycerin, it was relatively stable to impact and friction.
- Safety Concerns: Despite its advantages, picric acid had a notable drawback: it reacts with metals (especially iron, lead, and copper) to form highly sensitive and unstable salts called picrates. This reactivity necessitated precautions such as lining shell casings with tin or lacquer to prevent direct contact, a factor that eventually contributed to its replacement by TNT, which does not share this issue.
Chemical Identity
Chemically, picric acid is a nitrated phenol with the formula C₆H₃N₃O₇. It is a yellow crystalline solid. Its chemical stability made it an attractive explosive for military applications until the advent of TNT, which offered better handling properties, particularly its non-reactivity with metals.
