Chinese researchers have successfully detonated a 2kg hydrogen-based explosive device without using any nuclear materials. The device, developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation's 705 Research Institute, utilized magnesium hydride, a hydrogen storage material, which when activated by conventional explosives, underwent rapid thermal decomposition, releasing hydrogen gas that ignited into a sustained inferno lasting over two seconds and reaching temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. This is significantly longer than similar explosions using TNT.
The magnesium hydride material, originally intended for clean energy applications in off-grid areas, proved effective in creating a powerful and sustained explosion. The researchers highlighted the unique properties of hydrogen gas, emphasizing its ease of ignition, wide explosion range, and rapid flame spread.
This achievement showcases advancements in hydrogen-based explosive technology. While initially developed for clean energy applications, the magnesium hydride material's properties have found another use in the creation of non-nuclear explosive devices. The study was published in the Chinese-language Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance.