In 50% ethanol aqueous solution, 4-(2,4,6-trinitroanilino) benzoic acid(TABA) was synthesized by condensation reaction from 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl chloride (picryl chloride)and p-aminobenzoic acid with a yield of 94.0% and purity of 98.9%. The conditions of condensation reaction were optimized, and the optimal reactive conditions were as follows: n(picryl chloride)∶n(p-amino benzoic acid)is 1∶1, and the reactive time is 5 h at 70 ℃. Lead and copper salts were prepared by the reaction of TABA with acetate. The structure of TABA and its salts were characterized by IR, NMR and elemental analysis. The friction sensitivities were 100% and 72%, H₅₀ were 15.2 cm and 28.2 cm for lead salt and copper salt respectively. Differential thermal analysis shows the thermal stabilities of TABA and its salts as: TABA, 344.99 ℃， lead salt, 270.82 ℃, 322.98 ℃， copper salt, 282.25 ℃, 331.91℃. In addition, lead and copper salts of TABA are well compatible with these contact materials.