Explosive Analysis
CERL is equipped with an analytical chemistry laboratory that is dedicated to the analysis of a wide range of energetic materials associated with commercial blasting explosives, initiators, fireworks and pyrotechnic devices. In addition to providing analytical services to the Chief Inspector of Explosives for the authorization of explosives, the Explosives Analysis Group of CERL also provides analytical services to industrial clients on a contract basis.
The Explosives Analysis Group is staffed with knowledgeable personnel who have hands-on experience in the safe manipulation and separation of explosive components, as well as the use of modern analytical techniques including:
- Chemically suppressed Ion Chromatography (IC) for the determination of anionic and cationic species
- X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for the rapid and non-destructive determination of elemental composition
- Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for the quantitative analysis of elements dissolved in aqueous or acidic media
- Gas chromatography (GC) of organic species including nitroaromatics, nitrosamines and nitrate esters
- Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of organic compounds such as polymers and molecular explosives
- Karl Fischer titration (KFT) for the determination of water content
- Light microscopy with digital image acquisition for the characterization of particle size and morphology