13863-88-2

orthorhombic, a=0.559 nm, b=0.591 nm, c=0.610nm; can be prepared by reacting silver nitrate solution with hydrazine or hydrazoic acid; sensitive to shock [KIR83] [CIC73]

It is used as a primary explosive, often as areplacement for lead azide. It may be usedin smaller quantities than lead azide as ainitiator.

Silver azide is a highly toxic substance. Thetoxic effects have not been reported.

It is a primary explosive. It explodes violently upon thermal and mechanical shock. It requires lesser energy for initiation than lead azide and also fires with a shorter time delay. The heats of combustion and detonation are 1037 and 454 cal/g, respectively (i.e., 156 and 68 kcal/mol, respectively). The detonation velocity is 6.8 km/sec (at the crystal density 5.1 g/cm3). The pure compound explodes at 340°C (644°F) (Mellor 1967). The detonation can occur at much lower temperatures in an electric field when initiated by irradiation. Also, the presence of impurities can lower down the temperature of detonation. Such impurities include oxides, sulfides, and selenides of copper and other metals.
It reacts with halogens forming halogen azides, often producing explosions. It reacts explosively with chlorine dioxide, most interhalogen compounds, and many dyes. It reacts with acids forming heat- and shock-sensitive hydrazoic acid. When mixed with salt solutions of heavy metals, their azides are formed, which are sensitive to heat, impact and electric charge.