Shock Sensitive Materials

The following materials are shock-sensitive, and may decompose violently if struck or heated. Solids are also prone to explosive decomposition if ground, for example with pestle and mortar. A few of the materials listed are not, of themselves, explosive, but mixtures of them with combustible material such as organic reagents, may be dangerous.

There are, of course, many more materials which are shock sensitive than those shown in the list - this includes only some of the more common ones. Do not assume that because a chemical does not appear on this list it cannot be shock sensitive!

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Updated June 9, 2009.