African Nationhood

"Poison, what poison?"

"It is said to be a kind of rat poison, called black and gold.

There is also a drug for treating heart disease that is also an explosive. It was also arranged by Chairman Shi. It is said to be called tiumium. "

Hearing this, Shi Xu scratched his head and asked, "If I want to develop high-energy explosives, will we support it?"

"Support, of course, but our purpose here is more to develop new weapons. Have you come to the wrong place?"

Shi Xu smiled and said, "It's okay. Since we support it, I will apply to establish a research group. Are you willing to help me?"

Wu Minghe's heart was beating excitedly when he heard this. He had long wanted to participate in research and development to obtain honors and bonuses.

"Yes, I'm very willing, but I want to explain first that I can't help you much in terms of research and development, I can only help you with miscellaneous tasks."

Shi Xu nodded, "It's okay, don't you often come into contact with picric acid and tnt? This is already a very good foundation.

My research and development of new high-energy explosives also starts with these explosives. "

Wu Minghe nodded, "If you want to talk about this, I can be regarded as a semi-expert. When I first came here, I was the chief manufacturer of 'cast explosives' such as TNT and picric acid.

Now that our factory has turned to the research and development of weapons, there has been less contact and research on this kind of molten explosives. If you study molten explosives, I can definitely serve as your assistant. "

The two discussed for a while, and then Shi Xu made an application form and handed it to Ren Ping.

When Ren Ping saw that the newcomer was going to make high-energy explosives as soon as he arrived, he immediately panicked. Director Xu just told me to take good care of him. Why did this kid insist on rushing in the direction of the accident?
So Ren Ping hurriedly went to the factory director Xu Huange. Xu Huange couldn't make up his mind either. He asked Ren Ping to go back first, and then he called the general equipment department directly.

Xu Huange's rank was too low, so he didn't dare to trouble Director Qi, so he had to ask Lin Feng, the driver.

After hearing what Xu Huange reported, Lin Feng couldn't make up his mind. He just asked Xu Huange to wait, and he would contact him first before calling him back.

Xu Huange was even more convinced that Xiao An was not a simple person and had a big background. After all, he was involved with Director Qi.

When Qi Lin learned that Shi Xu wanted to develop high-energy explosives, he immediately called his scientific research institution and sent all the information related to melting and casting explosives to the 621 factory.

After Xu Huange received the reply, he did not dare to be careless. He carefully studied the application form for a long time, and then asked Wu Minghe to be called.

Wu Minghe didn't expect that he would have the chance to be summoned by Factory Director Xu one day, so he quickly came to Xu Huange's office.

"Director Xu, are you looking for me?"

Xu Huange waved to Wu Minghe with a smile on his face, "Old Wu, come here quickly, sit down, sit down."

Wu Minghe, who was flattered, immediately became uneasy. He didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse. He took a deep breath and looked at Xu Huange.
"Director Xu, if you have something to say, please tell me. I can bear it."

Xu Huange nodded, "Well, I'm a little embarrassed about this matter. I don't know how to say it. It's not that Xiao An wants to develop high-energy explosives. I'm a little worried. As you know, Xiao An's background is not simple. If he is developing high-energy explosives, There was a danger in the process, and it’s hard for me to explain.”

Wu Minghe listened for a long time before he realized that instead of feeling sad, he felt unexpectedly happy.

"That's it, I thought you were going to fire me.

I understand that I will take good care of him and let him do the research and development work. As for the verification experiments and the configuration of the gunpowder, I will do it. "

Xu Huange felt gratified to have such a good and sensible subordinate, "Old Wu, do your best. Once you have done this, I will never treat you badly when the time comes."

"Well, okay, director, don't worry, I will die first."

Xu Huange immediately held Wu Minghe's shoulders and said, "Bah, bah, there's no such thing as death, safety first!"

Wu Minghe nodded and replied loudly: "Yes!"

……

The molten explosives research team was set up very quickly, and the space, funds, and supplies were all sufficient.

Factory 621 did not have many manpower. In order to ensure Shi Xu's safety, Xu Huange squeezed out a few apprentices from other groups to join their research group.

Let these apprentices serve as experimental assistants. They, Wu Ming and these people all obey Shi Xu's orders.

Shi Xu didn't pay too much attention to these details. He focused all his energy on the development of new cast explosives.

Smelt-cast explosives refer to mixed explosives that can be cast in a molten state. Their composition is mainly a mixture of several single-substance explosives, or a small amount of additional components are added.

Generally speaking, all aspects of performance are more powerful than a single type of explosive.

……

During the Nanhua Company stage, the high-energy explosives used by the military were mainly early "cast explosives" based on picric acid and supplemented by tnt.

However, the sensitivity of this high-energy explosive is very unstable, and small and medium-sized explosion accidents of various types often occur in the military.

With the establishment of the South China Autonomous Territory, the military has made some progress in research on this type of high-energy explosive, and has developed a new type of melt-cast explosive.

High-explosive Type 70 explosive composed of 30% picric acid explosive and % dinitrophenol (high explosive commonly used in Britain during World War II). This cast explosive has very low sensitivity after adding beeswax as a passivating agent.

Compared with the previous high-energy explosives mixed with picric acid and tnt, it is a great improvement.

It's just that the power has been reduced compared to before, only 90% of the original.

However, after Chairman Shi directed the purchase of new explosives, RDX and PT, the Military Research Institute has already conducted tests on these two explosives.

Among them, RDX has an explosion speed of up to 8350 meters per second, is easy to detonate, and has low sensitivity. It is an excellent comprehensive explosive.

The detonation speed of ammonium is as high as 8600 meters per second, and the detonation pressure is nearly twice that of TNT. Its performance is quite powerful, but its sensitivity is quite high.

……

The reason why we pursue melt-cast explosives that mix multiple elements of elemental explosives is because melt-cast explosives are superior to elemental explosives in terms of functionality, processability, safety and other indicators.

Adding other additives to elemental explosives can not only improve the overall performance of the explosive, but also improve the mechanical properties, explosive performance, environmental resistance and safety performance of the explosive.

Under the guidance of Chairman Shi, the Military Ministry compiled and issued the research and development goals for new high-energy explosives:
(1) New high-energy explosives are required to be mainly composed of low-sensitivity RDX and tnt, mixed with other ingredients to form melt-cast explosives.

(2) This high-energy explosive needs to have strong explosive power both underwater and on land. The melting point is 110~150℃, and the optimal range is 80~120℃, so that it can be easily melted by steam;

(3) There is a significant difference between the melting point and decomposition temperature (the larger the difference, the better, preferably over 100°C);

(4) High density and better energy performance;

(5) Low vapor pressure and low inhalation toxicity;
(6) Low sensitivity;
……

At present, the high-energy explosives possessed by South China are enough to meet the current national defense and security needs.

However, the military industry is a road of no return. Only by constantly pursuing explosives with greater power and lower sensitivity can we lead the world and establish South China's status as a military power.

After comprehensively comparing many new simple explosives, Shi Xu decided to adopt the simplest strategy and create a "ladder combination" of melt-cast explosives that mixed RDX and TNT.

This is the simplest combination, and other military research institutes have submitted several reports.

梯黑炸药的配比有多种，如梯/黑=50/50、梯/黑=70/30、梯/黑=60/40等，
After comparative testing, the military department has selected the molten-cast explosive with a ratio of Ladder/Black = 40/60 for further stability testing.

Shi Xu referred to the results of other research institutes, which was not only a simple imitation, but also a training for his team.

Other research teams have not yet finalized their plans, and it is entirely possible for them to overtake others in a corner.

Because the sensitivity of high-energy explosives in this ratio is very unstable, Shi Xu asked Wu Minghe and others to conduct comparative experiments by increasing or decreasing the weight of RDX and TNT.

Wu Minghe and others were very cooperative. While they were melting RDX and TNT together according to the requirements, they were also trying passivation agents according to Shi Xu's requirements.

From the initial beeswax to paraffin, ozokerite, stearic acid, etc., do the passivation test step by step.

There were many explosions during this process, and several assistants were injured. Even Wu Minghe was injured once.

Because any accidental mechanical test in the passivation experiment can cause damage. As the leader of the research team, Shi Xu blames himself very much.

Instead, Wu Minghe kept comforting Shi Xu, telling him that this was all normal, and the most important thing now was to achieve results, otherwise all their injuries would be in vain.

Shi Xu nodded and continued to research in the laboratory. At the same time, he and Wu Yuxi saw each other day by day, and their feelings gradually grew.

……

In early November, he presented the final results.

This new type of melt-cast explosive was named An-21 high explosive by him. The ratio of this explosive is 59.5% RDX: 39.4% TNT: 1% paraffin (American Type B explosive).

After testing, the military determined that the new melt-cast explosives from the 621 Factory had the best ratio in terms of safety, sensitivity and explosiveness.

Chairman Shi of the National Defense Commission directly issued a commendation order to reward all members of the research group with merit medals and bonuses.

After Wu Minghe and others received the news, they immediately hugged Shi Xu and expressed their gratitude to him desperately.

On that day, Wu Minghe dragged Shi Xu and others to his tavern for dinner. Because the research had produced results, everyone was very happy and drank too much.

Because Wu Minghe drank too much, he had long forgotten that Shi Xu came from above, so he pulled Shi Xu's neck and asked him if he was married.

At this moment, Shi Xu's mind was already confused, so he said loudly, "No, I'm single."

Therefore, Wu Minghe boldly made the decision to betroth the family's little girl Wu Yuxi to Shi Xu. Shi Xu looked at the shy Wu Yuxi with drunken eyes and felt that this girl was extremely beautiful, so he nodded in agreement.

So far, the marriage between the wine shop and his son-in-law has been successfully achieved.

When Shi Xu woke up from his hangover, he was shocked to realize that he had made a big mistake, and he seemed to run away in panic.

Wu Yuxi was left standing speechless, complaining secretly, this man is really worthless! (End of chapter)