Sublimation (TATP Context)
Definition
The transition of a solid directly to vapour without passing through a liquid phase. TATP sublimes at room temperature (vapour pressure ~6.9 Pa at 25 degrees Celsius), which causes evidence loss if samples are not refrigerated, but also creates the detectable vapour signature exploited by IMS trace detection at security checkpoints.
Related terms
- Critical Diameter
- The minimum charge diameter below which a detonation wave cannot sustain itself, because energy losses to the sides of the charge exceed...
- Detonating Cord
- A cord with a PETN explosive core (5-40 g/m) that detonates at approximately 6,400 m/s when initiated. Used to connect multiple charges...
- DNT Isomers (2,4-DNT and 2,6-DNT)
- Dinitrotoluene intermediates and impurities present in manufactured TNT. Their molar ratio in post-blast debris or intact samples provides a manufacturing signature that...
- HMTD (Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine)
- A peroxide explosive analogue of TATP, synthesised from hexamine (hexamethylenetetramine), hydrogen peroxide, and citric acid. Similar sensitivity profile. Detected by LC-MS/MS as...
- Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
- A field-deployable analytical technique that separates ions by their mobility in an electric field at atmospheric pressure. Used for trace explosive detection...
- Nitramine
- A cyclic explosive in which the nitro groups are attached to nitrogen atoms within the ring (N-NO2), as in RDX and HMX....
- Nitro Compound
- A molecule containing one or more -NO2 (nitro) groups covalently bonded to carbon. TNT is an aromatic nitro compound; PETN is a...
- Organic Peroxide Explosive
- An explosive in which the energetic groups are peroxide linkages (-O-O-) rather than nitro groups. TATP and HMTD are the forensically significant...
- Oxygen Balance
- A percentage expressing the surplus or deficit of oxygen in an explosive molecule relative to stoichiometric complete oxidation of carbon to CO2...
Explained in
- Specific Explosives: TNT, RDX, PETN, HMX, ANFO, TATP, Urea NitrateThe transition of a solid directly to vapour without passing through a liquid phase. TATP sublimes at room temperature (vapour pressure ~6.9 Pa at 25 degrees C...