Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: paul.fr on 07/06/2007 20:14:00

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: paul.fr on 07/06/2007 20:14:00

do you remember devil bangers? they were those small explosives that looked like they were wrapped in cigarette paper. you could throw them on any surface and they would explode. But why, what was in them to cause the explosion

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: syhprum on 09/06/2007 09:15:33

Nitro glycerine might do the trick but how the hell could you store them!

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 09/06/2007 09:20:05

I remember them well.

I also remember when I was at school, we made some stuff that "exploded" when you applied even a small amount of pressure to it. You could put it on the floor so that people walked on it, on door handles (we even nicked some and put it on the toilet seat in the masters' common room  [:I] ).

It didn't really explode as such, just went off with a loud <<CRACK>>.

I think it was potassium tri-nitrate, or something like that. Does anyone know what substance I mean, and could that be what was in devil bangers?

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/06/2007 09:43:30

They still sell something like that here on the 4th of JULY!

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: lightarrow on 09/06/2007 18:58:25

Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 09/06/2007 09:20:05

I remember them well.

I also remember when I was at school, we made some stuff that "exploded" when you applied even a small amount of pressure to it. You could put it on the floor so that people walked on it, on door handles (we even nicked some and put it on the toilet seat in the masters' common room  [:I] ).
It didn't really explode as such, just went off with a loud <<CRACK>>.
I think it was potassium tri-nitrate, or something like that. Does anyone know what substance I mean, and could that be what was in devil bangers?

Potassium tri-nitrate doesn't exist. There are many chemicals that explode by a sudden increase of pressure (shock sensitive). One of them is mercury fulminate.

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: G-1 Theory on 19/07/2007 15:20:06

Quote from: Karen W. on 09/06/2007 09:43:30

They still sell something like that here on the 4th of JULY!

Actualy Wal-Mart sales them yearround and it says that it is blackpower molded around a rock then wraped in paper.

Ed

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: neilep on 19/07/2007 15:27:32

Yep, they are still available today..http://www.speedydelivery.co.uk/toys-gadgets-gifts/fun-snaps---devil-bangers.shtml

....are they similar in construction to CAPS ?..remember those ?..they'd come on a roll..you'd put them in a toy gun..BANG BANG !!.....clearly it's the impact that sets off the BANG !!

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: Karen W. on 19/07/2007 16:01:04

I like fireworks!

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: lightarrow on 19/07/2007 18:55:23

Quote from: G-1 Theory on 19/07/2007 15:20:06

Quote from: Karen W. on 09/06/2007 09:43:30

They still sell something like that here on the 4th of JULY!

Actualy Wal-Mart sales them yearround and it says that it is blackpower molded around a rock then wraped in paper.
Ed

Yes, but it can't be what it's usually called "blackpowder", because it's not so much shock-sensitive.

Title: how do devil bangers work?
Post by: lightarrow on 19/07/2007 18:57:20

Quote from: neilep on 19/07/2007 15:27:32

Yep, they are still available today..http://www.speedydelivery.co.uk/toys-gadgets-gifts/fun-snaps---devil-bangers.shtml

....are they similar in construction to CAPS ?..remember those ?..they'd come on a roll..you'd put them in a toy gun..BANG BANG !!.....clearly it's the impact that sets off the BANG !!

It's a substance/mix of subs. of that kind indeed.