age
over ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Its boiling
point is 63 deg. C. as opposed to 10.4 deg. C. and 34.2 25
deg. C. respectively for the other two oxides. Thus, loading
operations are much easier to carry out. No special
equipment is needed for its handling.

Tests have shown that, insofar as ease of detonation is
concerned, 1,2-butylene oxide is similar to propylene 30
oxide. Its explosive limits range from about 3.1 to 25.1
percent by volume as opposed to 3.1 to 27.5 percent by
volume for propylene oxide. Thus, its significantly
lower toxicity can be taken advantage of with very little
loss in explosive efficiency. 35

Another factor contributing to the ease of handling of
1,2-butylene oxide is its vapor pressure. The vapor
pressure of 1,2-butylene oxide is only 207.0 mm Hg at
25 deg. C. as opposed to 1,292.0 for ethylene oxide and
569.0 for propylene oxide. 40

In a second embodiment of this invention, 1,2-butylene
oxide may be used in a gelled state. It has been
found that, if 1,2-butylene oxide is gelled by adding
about 3 to about 10 weight percent of a gelling agent
such as SiO_2 (Cab-O-Sil), particulate carbon or aluminum 45
octoate, it will still be dispersed into a detonable
cloud by a typical fuel air explosive weapon. This is
perhaps the best mode of practicing this invention for
several reasons. First, the gel is more easily handled
than the neat liquid. Second, if spilled the gel will not 50
disperse as a liquid will.

In storage, no self-polymerization of 1,2-butylene
oxide has been detected. Thus, a warhead loaded with
the material has an indefinite shelf-life.

I claim: 55

1. In a method for producing an explosion comprising the
steps of dispersing a cloud of liquid particles in the
air and detonating the cloud, the improvement residing
in utilizing 1,2-butylene oxide in gel form as said liquid.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said gel consist
essentially of 1,2-butylene oxide and a gelling agent
selected from the group consisting of SiO_2, particulate
carbon and aluminum octoate. 60

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said gelling