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Lead(II) Thiocyanate: Homemade Matches - Part 4, 5


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I still had some of the lead(II) thiocyanate and potassium chlorate mixture left, so it was time to make some homemade matches. I combined the mixture with varnish (a solution of smokeless powder in acetone). Then, I removed the heads from three matches, replaced them with the prepared mixture, and let it dry for two hours.

I fixed the matchbox and struck the first match on its side surface. The match immediately flared up with a bright white flame. Smoke formed, and hot particles of the mixture scattered, but the matchstick itself did not catch fire.

In factory production, the ends of matchsticks are first dipped in molten paraffin before the incendiary composition (match head) is applied. This ensures the matchstick ignites before the match head burns out.

The second match also ignited instantly: first the match head, then the stick. The same occurred with the third match.

Afterward, a gray coating rich in lead formed on the matchbox and my fingers. Since lead compounds are toxic, such matches are unsuitable for general use. They are better suited for purposes like lecture demonstrations.

After the experiment, I realized that using an aqueous solution of gelatin or starch as a binder would have been better than using nitrocellulose varnish.



Тиоцианат свинца(II) и хлорат калия: самодельные спички - часть 4
Немного смеси тиоцианата свинца с хлоратом калия у меня все еще оставалось - самое время заняться самодельными спичками. Размешал смесь с лаком (раствор бездымного пороха в ацетоне). С трех спичек удалил головки, вместо них нанес нашу смесь, дал два часа подсохнуть.

Закрепил спичечный коробок и чиркнул первой спичкой по его боковой поверхности. Спичка сразу вспыхнула белым пламенем. Образовался дым, полетели раскаленные частички смеси. Зато древко спички не загорелось.

При производстве спичек на заводе концы спичек сначала погружают в расплавленный парафин, а только потом наносят зажигательный состав (спичечную головку). Это делается, чтобы древко спички загоралось до того, как сгорит спичечная головка.

Вторая спичка тоже загорелась моментально: сначала спичечная головка, затем и древко. Аналогично было с третьей спичкой.

На коробке и пальцах образовался серый налет, богатый свинцом. Соединения свинца ядовиты. Для массового употребления такие спички не годятся, зато они подходят, например, для лекционных демонстраций.

Уже после эксперимента понял, что в качестве связующего лучше было использовать не нитроцеллюлозный лак, а водный раствор желатина или крахмала.


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Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches
Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Homemade Matches




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The homemade matches have been prepared, fulfilling the purpose of the experiments with the mixture of lead(II) thiocyanate and potassium chlorate. However, several questions remain unanswered. For example, how sensitive is this mixture to friction and impact? My curiosity drove me to continue experimenting.

I placed the remnants of the mixture on an iron anvil and began rubbing it vigorously with a metal spatula while applying strong pressure. I expected a flash, but nothing happened. Next, I struck the mixture with a hammer - still, no explosion or flash occurred. The laboratory was cold (4°C) and humid, which might have reduced the sensitivity of the mixture due to the high humidity.

To investigate further, I prepared a fresh batch of the mixture using 0.1 g of lead(II) thiocyanate and 0.1 g of potassium chlorate. I dried it in a thermostat at 50°C for 1 hour. After drying, I wrapped the mixture in aluminum foil and placed it on the anvil. When I struck it with a hammer, there was a loud explosion accompanied by a flash and the formation of white smoke. I had to retreat quickly to avoid inhaling the aerosolized lead compounds.

From prior experiments with highly mechanically sensitive compounds (e.g., acetone peroxide), I noticed that explosions often occurred after the first strike but not always, sometimes requiring several blows instead. Therefore, the mixture of lead(II) thiocyanate and potassium chlorate exhibited high sensitivity to impact. Additionally, it is extremely sensitive to fire. Therefore, this mixture demands careful handling and strict adherence to safety rules.



Тиоцианат свинца(II) и хлорат калия: чувствительность смеси к ударам - часть 5
Самодельные спички изготовлены, следовательно, цель экспериментов со смесью тиоцианата свинца(II) и хлората калия достигнута. Однако осталось несколько вопросов. Например, насколько данная смесь чувствительна к трению и удару? Любопытство заставило меня продолжить эксперименты.

Поместил остатки смеси на железную наковальню и стал ее тереть, сильно надавливая на смесь металлическим шпателем. Я ожидал вспышки, но ничего не произошло. Ударил по смеси молотком - взрыва или вспышки не наблюдалось. В лаборатории было холодно (4°С) и влажно. Возможно, влажность снизила чувствительность смеси.

Приготовил новую порцию смеси из 0.1 г роданида свинца с 0.1 г хлората калия. Поместил ее сушиться в термостат при температуре 50°С на 1 час. После этого завернул смесь в алюминиевую фольгу, которую поместил на наковальню. Ударил молотком. Произошел громкий взрыв со вспышкой, образовался белый дым. Пришлось срочно ретироваться, чтобы не дышать аэрозолем соединений свинца.

Когда я проводил аналогичные эксперименты с веществами, обладающими высокой механической чувствительностью (например, с перекисью ацетона), заметил, что взрывы происходили после первого удара часто, но не всегда, иногда требовалось несколько ударов. Таким образом, смесь роданида свинца с хлоратом калия имеет высокую чувствительность к удару. Кроме того, данная смесь очень чувствительна к огню. Поэтому смесь требует осторожного обращения и строго соблюдения правил техники безопасности.


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Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture
Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture

Lead(II) Thiocyanate and Potassium Chlorate: Shock Sensitivity of the Mixture



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