Pipe bombs vs high explosives.

Does anyone have any experimental information comparing an 
untamped high explosive with a pipe bomb?

A pipe bomb is a device for getting a decent explosion
out of a low explosive, such as gunpowder.

A low explosive combusts relatively slowly.  The purpose
of the pipe is to hold it together for long enough to get
decent pressure.

Homemade low explosives tend to be even more feeble 
than manufactured low explosives, because it is inadvisable
for amateurs to recorn their powder, with the result that
home made powders burn slow, whereas homemade high
explosives are just as effective as manufactured high 
explosives.

My theoretical expectation is that pipe bombs would be 
very ineffectual when compared to high explosives, 
especially using home made powders.

Note that very large pipe bombs can be made by using 
propane cylinders or compressed gas cylinders in 
place of pipes.
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On Sat, 3 Aug 1996, James A. Donald wrote:

> Does anyone have any experimental information comparing an 
> untamped high explosive with a pipe bomb?

> Homemade low explosives tend to be even more feeble 
> than manufactured low explosives, because it is inadvisable
> for amateurs to recorn their powder, with the result that
> home made powders burn slow, whereas homemade high
> explosives are just as effective as manufactured high 
> explosives.
> 
> My theoretical expectation is that pipe bombs would be 
> very ineffectual when compared to high explosives, 
> especially using home made powders.

Flash powders are quite easy to make and deflagrate quickly enough to
cause quite a nice bang without any containment what so ever when set off
in amounts over about two tablespoons worth.

Start off with fine enough mesh Al powder and grind your oxidizer down
fine enough and all you need for proper mixing is a (static treated)
zip-lock bag.

Not that I would ever suggest that anyone try to manufacture such
mixtures, but they are plenty potent enough to match and exceed most
manufactured deflagrating powders.

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