Sprengel explosive
Quick Summary
Sprengel explosives are a class of high explosives created by combining an oxidizing agent with a combustible ingredient immediately before use. Neither component is explosive on its own. These explosives were developed in England in 1871 by Hermann Sprengel, who patented various combinations. A key characteristic of Sprengel explosives is that one of the ingredients is typically liquid, and the mixture is prepared just prior to detonation.12
While popular in Europe, their use in the United States was limited, with a notable exception being the 1885 Hell Gate blast in New York Harbor. This massive explosion utilized a combination of dynamite and potassium chlorate-nitrobenzene to clear a navigational hazard.2
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