[jimpeel]

Saw an article on the news that these suspected terrorists were caught with several pounds of Potassium Chlorate. I have no knowledge of just how this stuff could be used nor what its purpose is.

I went out and searched on "potassium chlorate" and found that is is an oxidizer that is used in the manufacture of matches. That still didn't answer the question of how a terrorist would use same so I went a bit further and found that it can be combined with other chemicals to become unstable when hit with a hammer. It is also used to make common July Fourth sparklers.

I used to use matches as caps when I was a kid by hitting them with a hammer so this also answered nothing.

I also went to a supplier site and found that the stuff is fairly cheap -- about $9 for 500g.

I went to a site that linked the compound with terrorism but the site was shut down.

So basically, the stuff is an oxidizer used to make fireworks and matches but the bigger question is this:

Will I now get a visit from representatives of the government who just got alerted by Carnovore that some "guy" was just doing something we think was bad?

Should be interesting to see what happens. Hopefully nothing.

[Beren]

Try running the same search again, but add the words "Bin Laden" to your criteria.

[bogie]

It's the stuff that the fellow sitting at the table in the back of the pole barn at Knob Creek sells to make "firecrackers" with.

You get enough of it, and it's interesting.

[T.Stahl]

Any chemists among your friends? They can probably even give you a recipe of stuff to use in combination with potassium chlorate. :rolleyes:

[AZTOY]

Potassium chlorate and bleach can be made in to a home made Plastic Explosives .:uhoh:

[Henry Bowman]

If potasium cloride (KCl) is injected IV, it will shut down the heart (potassium overdose), mimicing a heart attack and is virtually untraceable (except for needle mark). :what: Too little potassium will kill you also.:D

[Diesle]

Carefull people.. It feels like your treading some dangerous ground here...


Diesle

[gun-fucious]

POTASSIUM CHLORIDE & UREA

Potassium Chloride and Urea are common icemelters that are often perceived as safe products to use around vegetation._ Both need to be used at a slightly higher rate of application, with Urea melting to 15o F and Potassium Chloride melting to 12o F._ Urea does not contain chlorides, so it is less corrosive and safer for use on concrete containing rebar and around steel structures._ This is one of the preferred ice melters for airports.


http://www.peterschemical.com/Potassium%20Chloride%20&%20Urea.htm

[Frohickey]

If I ever die of potassium overdose, let this post be known by the whole board that if they find a needle mark, its got to be foul play.

If they find me dead with lots of banana peels, then its still foul play because the monkey killed me for the bananas. :D

[Cal4D4]

Potassium Chlorate is used in a number of fireworks and improvised explosives. Supposed to give about 80% of the power of TNT. Many blends are sensitive to heat, friction and percussion. Corrosive primers used this stuff. If you don't have in depth knowledge of it's properties, update your medical coverage before you experiment too much.

[labgrade]

PC isn't.

Makes sensitive seem blase.

Take heart, Jim. You aren't Peter Townsend. ;)