Explosives: Is TNT the Same Thing as Dynamite?

Most of the more historic explosive substances have names familiar to us-even if we don't exactly know what they are. Among the more famous are black powder, ammonium nitrate, nitroglycerin, dynamite, nitrocellulose (guncotton), and TNT. Nitroglycerin is familiar to us as being a dangerous liquid that if not carefully prepared and could kill the handler. "Nitro" has been featured in old-time movies as the weapon of choice of many a "bad guy." How ironic it is prepared from glycerin-a clear liquid byproduct in the manufacture of soap, used in so many cosmetics to enhance the softness of beautiful skin.

Dynamite

Dynamite is simply nitroglycerin explosive in more convenient form-how so? Pure nitroglycerin liquid degrades over time, becoming more and more unstable. Many lives were lost during the process of shipping nitroglycerin. If it is absorbed, however-say in diatomaceous earth-it is much safer. Other inert substances such as sawdust have also been used. Dynamite was developed and patented by Alfred Nobel, greatly adding to his wealth. Alfred Nobel was the namesake of the highly coveted Nobel Prize, especially associated with scientific discoveries and developments.

TNT

So then-is TNT another variety of dynamite? No, it is not. TNT is an abbreviation for a pure single chemical compound-2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-or more simply, trinitrotoluene.¹ Although care must be taken in its manufacture, once produced, TNT is a comparatively safe explosive. TNT is shock-resistant, and friction-resistant. In fact, TNT can even be melted and poured into shape without setting the explosive off. A considerable energy called the "activation energy" is required to convert trinitrotoluene into its decomposition products. Its use was so prevalent it became the standard for evaluating the properties of other explosives.

Advisory

Explosive substances may be put to beneficial use in construction, demolition of old structures, setting telephone poles, etc. However, they should be handled only by those properly trained and authorized in their use. Consider TNT: It is not a particularly dangerous explosive, but great care is needed during its manufacture to avoid producing unstable side reaction products, which are dangerous. One of the easiest-to-prepare explosives is nitroglycerin; it has, despite that, cost many, many lives. Doubtless some of those handling it felt confident nothing bad would happen to them.

¹ See the images associated with this article for the chemical structures of nitroglycerin and trinitrotoluene and for the 1965 Navy image of a 500-ton TNT explosion.

References and Resources:

Project Gutenberg - "Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise," by P. Gerald Sanford.

Frostburg State University - Why is Nitroglycerin Explosive?