List of Japanese World War II explosives

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

Explosive Type Application Navy
or Army		 Japanese designation Comments
Mercury fulminate
Potassium chlorate
Antimony trisulfide		 Primer cap composition Army Bakufun Mk I and Mk III powders are ammunition primers, Mk II is a fuze primer
Potassium chlorate
Antimony trisulfide		 Primer cap composition Both - Most common mixture for fuze primers
Mercury fulminate Initiator in fuzes and blasting caps Both Raikoo (Thunder Mercury)
Lead azide Initiator in fuzes and blasting caps Both Chikka Namari Most common initiator
Tetryl Sub-booster Both Meiayaku Pressed.
RDX Sub-booster Army Shouyaku Pressed. Often used with wax
70% Trinitroanisole
30% HND		 Main charge, auxiliary booster bombs, sea mines,
depth charges		 Navy H2 kongo or Type 98 Pressed.
TNT Main charge Projectiles, hand grenades
rarely in bombs		 Army Chakatusuyaku
(tea colored explosive)		 Usually cast in paper wrapped blocks
Picric acid Main charge and
main booster charge		 bombs, projectiles,
sea mines, land mines		 Both Ooshokuyaku (Yellow color explosive)
or Shimose		 Most commonly used booster. Pressed
66% Ammonium perchlorate
16% Silicon carbide
12% wood pulp
6% oil		 Main charge mines, depth charges Navy Type 88 Loose grey powder. Friction sensitive.
Trinitroanisole Main charge bombs Navy Type 91 Cast
60% Trinitroanisole
40% RDX		 Main charge torpedo warheads Navy Type 94
60% TNT
40% HND		 Main charge torpedo warheads,
depth charges		 Navy Seigate or Type 97 Cast blocks
70% Trinitroanisole
30% HND		 Main charge bombs, sea mines,
depth charges		 Navy Type 98 Poured into case and cast
81% Ammonium picrate
16% aluminium powder
2% wood pulp
1% oil		 Main charge depth charges Navy Type 1 Loose powder
60% TNT
24% HND
16%aluminium powder		 Main charge torpedo warheads Navy Otsu-B
25% TNT
75% picric acid		 Main charge bombs Army Chaooyaku Used rarely. TNT lowers the melting point making it suitable for casting
50% Picric acid
50% Dinitronaphthalene		 Main charge projectiles Army Oonayaku Used rarely. Dinitronapthalene aids casting.
90% Picric acid
10% Wax		 Main charge projectiles Army Ooshivaku Used in the nose of armour piercing projectiles. Insensitive.
70% TNT
30% Dinitronaphthalene		 Main charge projectiles Army Chanayaku Cast
70% to 50% TNT
30% to 50% RDX		 Main charge bombs, projectiles, landmines
and bangalore torpedoes		 Army Nigo tanooyaku (Mk2) Cast
75% Ammonium nitrate
25% RDX		 Main charge bombs Army Anga yaku Cast in case. Hygroscopic

References

  • TM 9-1985-4 Japanese Explosive Ordnance (Bombs, Bomb fuzes, Land mines, Grenades, Firing Devices and Sabotage Devices). Departments of the Army and Air Force. March 1953.