List of Japanese World War II explosives

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This is a complete list of Japanese explosives used during the Second World War. It is sorted according to application.

ExplosiveTypeApplicationNavy
or Army
Japanese designationComments
Mercury fulminate
Potassium chlorate
Antimony trisulfide
Primer cap compositionArmyBakufunMk I and Mk III powders are ammunition primers, Mk II is a fuze primer
Potassium chlorate
Antimony trisulfide
Primer cap compositionBoth-Most common mixture for fuze primers
Mercury fulminateInitiator in fuzes and blasting capsBothRaikoo (Thunder Mercury)
Lead azide Initiator in fuzes and blasting capsBothChikka NamariMost common initiator
Tetryl Sub-boosterBothMeiayakuPressed.
RDX Sub-boosterArmyShouyakuPressed. Often used with wax
70% Trinitroanisole
30% HND
Main charge, auxiliary boosterbombs, sea mines,
depth charges
NavyH2 kongo or Type 98Pressed.
TNT Main chargeProjectiles, hand grenades
rarely in bombs
ArmyChakatusuyaku
(tea colored explosive)
Usually cast in paper wrapped blocks
Picric acid Main charge and
main booster charge
bombs, projectiles,
sea mines, land mines
BothOoshokuyaku (Yellow color explosive)
or Shimose
Most commonly used booster. Pressed
66% Ammonium perchlorate
16% Silicon carbide
12% wood pulp
6% oil
Main chargemines, depth chargesNavyType 88Loose grey powder. Friction sensitive.
TrinitroanisoleMain chargebombsNavyType 91Cast
60% Trinitroanisole
40% RDX
Main chargetorpedo warheadsNavyType 94
60% TNT
40% HND
Main chargetorpedo warheads,
depth charges
NavySeigate or Type 97Cast blocks
70% Trinitroanisole
30% HND
Main chargebombs, sea mines,
depth charges
NavyType 98Poured into case and cast
81% Ammonium picrate
16% aluminium powder
2% wood pulp
1% oil
Main chargedepth chargesNavyType 1Loose powder
60% TNT
24% HND
16%aluminium powder
Main chargetorpedo warheadsNavyOtsu-B
25% TNT
75% picric acid
Main chargebombsArmyChaooyakuUsed rarely. TNT lowers the melting point making it suitable for casting
50% Picric acid
50% Dinitronaphthalene
Main chargeprojectilesArmyOonayakuUsed rarely. Dinitronapthalene aids casting.
90% Picric acid
10% Wax
Main chargeprojectilesArmyOoshivakuUsed in the nose of armour piercing projectiles. Insensitive.
70% TNT
30% Dinitronaphthalene
Main chargeprojectilesArmyChanayakuCast
70% to 50% TNT
30% to 50% RDX
Main chargebombs, projectiles, landmines
and bangalore torpedoes
ArmyNigo tanooyaku (Mk2)Cast
75% Ammonium nitrate
25% RDX
Main chargebombsArmyAnga yakuCast in case. Hygroscopic

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