The Chemistry of Explosives (Rsc Paperbacks) [Paperback]

J. Akhavan (Author), Jacqueline Akhavan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0854045635 | ISBN-13: 978-0854045631 | Publication Date: May 22, 1998 | Edition: 1

Outlines the basic principles needed to understand the mechanism of explosions by chemical explosive. The work introduces the history, theory and chemical types of explosives, and covers thermodynamics, enthalpy, free energy and gas equations. Propellants and pyrotechnics are briefly introduced.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Extracts from reviews of 1st Edition:

"… this succinct introductory paperback manual on the chemistry, physics, and functioning of explosives is most welcome … eminently readable …"

Angewandte Chemie, International Edition

"…an excellent book for A Level students and new graduates."

International Journal of Environmental Studies

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

This popular, best-selling book, now in its third edition, has been fully revised and expanded to reflect new developments in the field. It outlines the basic principles required to understand the chemical processes of explosives. The Chemistry of Explosives, 3rd Edition, provides an overview of the history of explosives, as well as taking the reader to future developments. The text on the classification of explosive materials contains much data on the physical parameters of primary and secondary explosives. The explosive processes of deflagration and detonation, including the theory of 'hotspots' for the detonation process, are introduced and many examples are provided in the detailed description on the thermochemistry of explosives. New material includes coverage on insensitive high explosives, polyphosphazenes, high nitrogen molecules and environmental impact. The 3rd edition also includes details on new explosives such as LLM-105, CL-20, FOX-7, FOX-12, and DADNE and refers to essential information on safety and the EMTAP tests. This concise, readable book is ideal for 'A' level students and new graduates with no previous knowledge of explosive materials. With detailed information on a vast range of explosives in tabular form and an extensive bibliography, this book will also be useful to anyone needing succinct information on the subject.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry; 1 edition (May 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0854045635
• ISBN-13: 978-0854045631
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,359,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It is a fairly good introductory text., September 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Chemistry of Explosives (Rsc Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This is a 173 page paper bound book published by the Royal Society of Chemistry and authored by Jacqueline Akhavan of Cranfield University, Royal Military College of Science, in the United Kingdom. The text partially fills a gap in the literature of explosives by providing more information on the chemistry of manufacturing and functioning of explosives. However, it still is more of a text about explosives than it is about the chemistry of explosives. In brief, it is a fairly good introductory text, but stops significantly short of being a great one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A physics book more than chemistry, January 10, 2008

By 

Eric Anderson "chester" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chemistry of Explosives (RSC Paperbacks) (Paperback)

I was disappointed by the book as named, and expected much more in the way of chemistry of explosives.

Unfortunately, what I found was mostly thermodynamic data and equations and chemical "reaction" equations that often did not even include structures, just formulae, reminiscent of high-school (USA) chemistry equations. In this respect, this book is most certainly NOT for the organic chemist. I do not believe a single curly arrow is to be found in this book !

I would like to point out in particular my displeasure with the way that chemical structure is depicted in this book. Unfortunately the author appears to be unfamiliar with the ChemDraw application or other similar drawing programs. It would be polite to say that some chemical reaction schemes are painful to look at. Take for example the reaction scheme 7.10 on page 131 (search for "hexamethylenetetramine" to find it in the book preview): I have never seen a 6-6 fused ring system look like 2 cyclobutane rings fused with unholy angle strain, but lo and behold there it is. These are the types of chemical structures i expect from the 1800's or from a old biology textbook, but not a modern chemistry book!

I would like to note that I was particularly disappointed with the caliber of the graphics included within the book (structures, as noted above and otherwise). The few schemes that are present in the book look as if they've been drawn in MS Paint or a similarly simple program and lack the finesse I expect from modern books.

In summary,this is much more a physics book concerning explosives, dominated by thermodynamics numbers and equations.

I would instead strongly recommend "The Organic Chemistry of Explosives" by Agrawal for chemists. Link:: Organic Chemistry of Explosives

4.0 out of 5 stars The Chemistry of Explosives, April 11, 2009

By 

David Brickner (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Chemistry of Explosives (RSC Paperbacks) (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a sophomore chemistry student. It's easy to read and follow the text, and lacks the boring textbook aspect. Great book for the serious student, or even professionals looking for a brush up on explosives. Covers the history, and the future or explosives, as well as everything in between.