TM 31-210
Improvised Munitions Handbook
| Section I |
No. 23 |
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SODIUM CHLORATE |
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| Sodium chlorate is a strong oxidizer used in the manufacture of explosives. It can be used in place of potassium chlorate (see Section I, No. 1). | |
| MATERIALS REQUIRED: | SOURCES: |
| 2 carbon or lead rods (1 in. diameter x 5 in. long) | Dry cell batteries (2-1/2 in. diameter x 7 in. long) or plumbing supply store |
| Salt or, ocean water | Grocery store or ocean |
| Sulfuric acid, diluted | Motor vehicle batteries |
| Motor vehicle | |
| Water | |
| 2 wires, 16 gauge (3/64 in. diameter approx.), 6 ft. long, insulated | |
| Gasoline | |
| 1 gallon glass jar, wide mouth (5 in. diameter x 6 in. high approx.) | |
| Sticks | |
| String | |
| Teaspoon | |
| Trays | |
| Cup | |
| Heavy cloth | |
| Knife | |
| Large flat pan or tray |
| PROCEDURE: | |
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1. Mix 1/2 cup of salt into the one gallon glass jar with 3 liters (3 quarts) of water. |
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2. Add 2 teaspoons of battery acid to the solution and stir vigorously for 5 minutes. |
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3. Strip about 4 inches of insulation from both ends of the 2 wires. |
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4. With knife and sticks shape 2 strips of wood 1 x 1/8 x 1-1/2. Tie the wood strips to the lead or carbon rods so that they are 1-1/2 inches apart. |
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5. Connect the rods to the battery in a motor vehicle with the insulated wire. |
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6. Submerge 4-1/2 in. of the rods into the salt water solution. |
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7. With gear in neutral position, start the vehicle engine. Depress the accelerator approximately 1/5 of its full travel. |
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8. Run the engine with the accelerator in this position for 2 hours; then, shut it down 2 hours. |
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9. Repeat this cycle for a total of 64 hours while maintaining the level of the acid-salt water solution in the glass jar. |
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CAUTION: This arrangement employs voltages which may be dangerous to personnel. Do not tough bare wire leads while engine is running. |
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10. Shut off the engine. Remove the rods from the glass jar and disconnect wire leads from the battery. |
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11. Filter the solution through the heavy cloth into a flat pan or tray, leaving the sediment at the bottom of the glass jar. |
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12. Allow the water in the filtered solution to evaporate at room temperature (approx. 16 hours). The residue is approximately 60% or more sodium chlorate which is pure enough to be used as an explosive ingredient. |
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