Insensitive TATP Training Aid by Microencapsulation

Abstract

There is a need in the explosives detection community for an insensitive, storage-stable source of triacetone triperoxide (TATP). To achieve this, the solvent evaporation microencapsulation technique was used to disperse TATP in a plastic matrix. This lowered the shock sensitivity greatly and prevented loss of TATP at room temperature, allowing for easy long-term storage. It was then demonstrated that pure TATP vapor was released on demand from the matrix by heating.

Keywords:

• canine training aids
• hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD)
• microencapsulation
• triacetone triperoxide (TATP)