Lead(II) azide

Lead(II) azide is an inorganic compound with formula Pb(N₃)₂ and a highly sensitive primary explosive used to initiate detonators and other explosive devices.

Primary explosive: An explosive that can be initiated relatively easily and is used to trigger a secondary explosive. Lead(II) azide is a standard example, valued for initiating larger charges.
Blasting cap: A small explosive device designed to initiate a larger explosive charge. Lead(II) azide has served as the initiating charge in blasting caps.
Azide: A chemical group containing three nitrogen atoms, commonly represented as N₃⁻ in ionic compounds. Azide ions form the anionic component of lead(II) azide.
Diazodinitrophenol: A nitrogen-rich primary explosive used in some detonators and percussion primers. It is a lead-free initiating explosive considered where lead azide’s toxicity is undesirable.
Detonator: A device that initiates an explosive train by producing a rapid shock or detonation. Lead(II) azide commonly supplies the initiating charge in detonators.
Percussion primer: An impact-sensitive component that ignites propellant when struck by a firearm’s firing pin. Lead azide has been used in primer compositions, though lead styphnate is more typical.
Lead(II): The +2 oxidation state of lead, commonly found in ionic lead compounds. Lead(II) ions balance the charge of two azide anions in the compound.
Silver azide: An explosive ionic compound composed of silver cations and azide anions. It shares azide chemistry but is generally too sensitive for many practical uses.
Detonation: A supersonic reaction front coupled to a shock wave that propagates through an explosive material. Its decomposition can produce the shock that initiates a following charge.
Electric detonator: A detonator initiated by an electrical current, commonly through a bridgewire or other ignition element. Some designs use lead azide as the energetic initiating material.

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