Final answer:
The HE projectile is designed for blast, fragmentation, and mining and is loaded with TNT or Composition B. TNT is stable and requires an explosive booster for detonation; Composition B is a blend that often includes TNT for enhanced effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The HE projectile described is typically used for its blast, fragmentation, and mining capabilities. This projectile, usually having a deep or shallow cavity, is made from a steel case and filled either with TNT (Trinitrotoluene) or Composition B, which is a mixture that could include TNT and other elements.
TNT is known for being a stable explosive, insensitive to shock and friction, which minimizes the risk of accidental detonation. It has a melting point of 80°C which allows it to be poured into shells and safely combined with other explosives. Priming TNT for detonation requires an explosive booster due to its insensitivity to shock.
Composition B, on the other hand, is a synergistic blend of explosives that often includes TNT and other ingredients to enhance its effectiveness. Explosive lenses or shape charges are often used with certain types of explosive material, such as plutonium, to direct the blast and create an implosion, effectively increasing the explosive's capability by compression. Such techniques are crucial in advanced explosives engineering, such as nuclear weapons design, where a critical mass needs to be achieved for a chain reaction.
Explosives like TNT are integral in various applications including military operations, industrial uses, and mining activities. TNT's characteristic of not dissolving in water also makes it suitable in wet environments, diversifying its usability.