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.
ExplosiveTypeApplicationNavy
or Army		Japanese designationComments
Mercury fulminate
Potassium chlorate
Antimony trisulfide		Primer cap compositionArmyBakufunMk I and Mk III powders are ammunition primers, Mk II is a fuze primer
Potassium chlorate
Antimony trisulfide		Primer cap compositionBoth-Most common mixture for fuze primers
Mercury fulminateInitiator in fuzes and blasting capsBothRaikoo
Lead azideInitiator in fuzes and blasting capsBothChikka NamariMost common initiator
TetrylSub-boosterBothMeiayakuPressed.
RDXSub-boosterArmyShouyakuPressed. Often used with wax
70% Trinitroanisole
30% HND		Main charge, auxiliary boosterbombs, sea mines,
depth charges		NavyH2 kongo or Type 98Pressed.
TNTMain chargeProjectiles, hand grenades
rarely in bombs		ArmyChakatusuyaku
Usually cast in paper wrapped blocks
Picric acidMain charge and
main booster charge		bombs, projectiles,
sea mines, land mines		BothOoshokuyaku
or Shimose		Most commonly used booster. Pressed
66% Ammonium perchlorate
16% Silicon carbide
12% wood pulp
6% oil		Main chargemines, depth chargesNavyType 88Loose grey powder. Friction sensitive.
TrinitroanisoleMain chargebombsNavyType 91Cast
60% Trinitroanisole
40% RDX		Main chargetorpedo warheadsNavyType 94
60% TNT
40% HND		Main chargetorpedo warheads,
depth charges		NavySeigate or Type 97Cast blocks
70% Trinitroanisole
30% HND		Main chargebombs, sea mines,
depth charges		NavyType 98Poured into case and cast
81% Ammonium picrate
16% aluminium powder
2% wood pulp
1% oil		Main chargedepth chargesNavyType 1Loose powder
60% TNT
24% HND
16%aluminium powder		Main chargetorpedo warheadsNavyOtsu-B
25% TNT
75% picric acid		Main chargebombsArmyChaooyakuUsed rarely. TNT lowers the melting point making it suitable for casting
50% Picric acid
50% Dinitronaphthalene		Main chargeprojectilesArmyOonayakuUsed rarely. Dinitronapthalene aids casting.
90% Picric acid
10% Wax		Main chargeprojectilesArmyOoshivakuUsed in the nose of armour piercing projectiles. Insensitive.
70% TNT
30% Dinitronaphthalene		Main chargeprojectilesArmyChanayakuCast
70% to 50% TNT
30% to 50% RDX		Main chargebombs, projectiles, landmines
and bangalore torpedoes		ArmyNigo tanooyaku Cast
75% Ammonium nitrate
25% RDX		Main chargebombsArmyAnga yakuCast in case. Hygroscopic