What is silver fulminate?

Silver fulminate is a highly explosive compound that is a primary explosive, meaning it can detonate without needing a secondary explosive to initiate it. It is made by reacting silver nitrate with nitric acid, forming a white crystalline solid.

Due to its extreme sensitivity to heat, friction, and shock, silver fulminate is used primarily in percussion caps for firearms and in toy caps. It is no longer used as a military or commercial explosive due to its unpredictable and dangerous nature.

Handling silver fulminate requires extreme caution and expertise, as even a small amount can cause a powerful explosion. It is highly unstable and should only be handled by trained professionals under controlled conditions.