Mercury fulminate Property

Melting point:

explodes [HAW93]

Density 

4.4200

solubility 

slightly soluble in H2O; soluble in ethanol,NH2OH 4

form 

gray crystals

color 

gray crystals, crystalline

Water Solubility 

slightly soluble cold H2O, soluble hot H2O; soluble alcohol, NH4OH [HAW93]

EPA Substance Registry System

Mercury fulminate (628-86-4)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

E,T,N

Risk Statements 

3-23/24/25-33-50/53

Safety Statements 

3-35-45-60-61

RIDADR 

0135

HazardClass 

1.1A

PackingGroup 

II

Hazardous Substances Data

628-86-4(Hazardous Substances Data)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H201Explosive; mass explosion hazard

H301Toxic if swalloed

H311Toxic in contact with skin

H331Toxic if inhaled

H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

P210Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.

P230Keep wetted with …

P240Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.

P250Do not subject to grinding/shock/…/friction.

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P261Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.

P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

P273Avoid release to the environment.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P301+P310IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

P311Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

P312Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.

P314Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.

P321Specific treatment (see … on this label).

P322Specific measures (see …on this label).

P330Rinse mouth.

P361Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.

P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

P370+P380in case of fire: Evacuate area.

P372Explosion risk in case of fire.

P373DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives.

P391Collect spillage. Hazardous to the aquatic environment

P401Store …

P403+P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.

P405Store locked up.

P501Dispose of contents/container to..…

Mercury fulminate Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

Gray, crystalline powder.Soluble in alcohol, ammonium hydroxide, and hot water; slightly soluble in cold water.

Uses

Manufacture of caps and detonators for producing explosions of military, industrial, and sporting purposes.

Uses

Mercury fulminate is used as a primaryexplosive to initiate boosters.

Uses

Mercury fulminate [Hg(CNO)2] is very explosive and is used to manufacture blasting caps and detonators.

General Description

A slurry or wet mass of white crystals. Contains at least 20% water or water-ethyl alcohol mixture. May explode from shock, heat, flame, or friction when dry. May explode under prolonged exposure to heat. Primary hazard is blast of an instantaneous explosion, not flying projectiles or fragments. A widely used initiating detonator for high explosives.

Reactivity Profile

MERCURY FULMINATE is incompatible with acetylene, ammonia, chlorine dioxide, azides, calcium (amalgam formation), sodium carbide, lithium, rubidium, copper . Contact with sulfuric acid causes explosion, [Urbanski, 1967, vol. 3, 135, 149]. Aqueous ammonia and Hg react to form an explosive solid, likely a fulminate. (Thodos, G. Amer. Inst. Chen. Engrs. J., 1964, 10, 274.).

Hazard

Explodes readily when dry, keep moist till use, an initiating explosive. Highly toxic.

Health Hazard

Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

Health Hazard

Mercury fulminate is a highly toxic compound,exhibiting the toxicity symptoms ofmercury. No toxicity data are available onthis compound.

Fire Hazard

MAY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS 1600 meters (1 MILE) OR MORE IF FIRE REACHES CARGO.

Safety Profile

An explosive sensitive to flame, heat, impact, friction, intense radiation, or contact with sulfuric acid. Selfexplodes. Dangerously flammable; should be kept moist until used. Incompatible with sulfuric acid. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Hg and NOx. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS and FULMINATES.