Explosives - Compositions

In general, high explosives are compositions and mixtures of ingredients capable of

instantaneously releasing large amounts of energy and doing work of various kinds on
objects and bodies surrounding them. In some cases the useful work that is done is
limited only by the energy content of the explosive composition, while in other cases the
transfer of energy from the explosive composition to surrounding bodies is controlled to
a large degree by the momentum or impulse released by the detonating explosive.
Amatol
Research and development during World War I yielded amatol (TNT plus ammonium
nitrate), an explosive with three times the power of gunpowder. Amatol consists of TNT
and ammonium nitrate mixed in either 20 /80 or 50 /50 ratios. When the U.S. entered
the war, Amatol was adopted for loading high explosive shells. Owing to shortages of
TNT and RDX (cyclonite) most World War II mines had had 50/50 ammonium nitrate
and TNT (amatol) warheads. This was a low quality explosive but was later improved by
the addition of about 20% aluminum to produce minol.
This explosive is a mechanical mixture of Ammonium Nitrate and TNT. It is crystalline
and yellow or brownish, moisture-absorbing, insensitive to friction, but may be
detonated by severe impact. It is readily detonated by Mercury Fulminate and other high
explosives. Amatol 50/50 has approximately the same rate of detonation and brisance
as TNT. Amatol 80/20 (used in Bangalore Torpedoes), produces white smoke on
detonation, while Amatol 50/50 produces a smoke, less black than straight TNT. Amatol
is used as a substitute for TNT and is to be mainly found in large caliber shells.
Driven by its liquid propellant engine, the V-2 had a range of approximately 200 miles.
Its warhead consisted of 2,000 pounds of amatol.
Baratol
Baratol is a composition of barium nitrate and TNT. TNT is typically 25-33% of the
mixture with 1% wax as a binder. The high density of barium nitrate gives baratol a
density of at least 2.5.
Early implosion atomic bombs, like the Gadget exploded at Trinity in 1945, the Soviet's
Joe 1 in 1949, or India in 1972, used an Composition-B [RDX-TNT mixture] as the fast
explosive, with baratol used as the slow explosive.
Composition A
Composition A is a was-coated, granular explosive consisting of RDX and plasticizing
was. Composition A is used by the military in land mines and 2.75 and 5 inch rockets.
Comp A-3 explosives are made from RDX and wax. Composition A-3 is a wax-coated,
granular explosive, consisting of 91% RDX and 9% desensitizing wax. Composition A-3
is not melted or cast. It is pressed into projectiles. It is nonhygroscopic and possesses
satisfactory stowage properties. Composition A-3 is appreciably more brisant and
powerful than TNT; its velocity of detonation is approximately 27,000 fps. It may be
white or buff, depending upon the color of the wax used to coat the powdered RDX.
Composition A-3 is used as a fillerinprojectiles that contain a small burster cavity, such
as antiaircraft projectiles. It can be used as compressed fillers for medium-caliber
projectiles.
Composition B / Comp B
Comp B explosives are made from TNT, RDX, and wax, such as 59.5 percent RDX, 39.5
percent TNT and 1 percent wax. Desensitizing agents are added. Composition B is used
by the military in land mines, rockets and projectiles. Cast Composition B has a specific
gravity of 1.65 and a detonation velocity of 'about 25,000 fps and is used as a primer
and booster for blasting agents.
Composition B is a mixture of 59% RDX, 40% TNT, and 1% wax. The TNT reduces the
sensitivity of the RDX to a safe degree and, because of its melting point, allows the
material to be cast-loaded. The blast energy of Composition B is slightly higher than that
of TNT. Composition B is nonhygroscopic and remains stable in stowage. It has an
extremely high-shaped-charge efficiency. The velocity of detonation is approximately
24,000 fps, and its color ranges from yellow to brown. Composition B has been used as
a more powerful replacement for TNT in loading some of the rifle grenades and some
rocket heads. It can be used where an explosive with more power and brisance is of
tactical advantage and there is no objection to a slight increase of sensitivity. While no
longer used in newer gun projectiles, some older stocks may be found with Composition
B main charges.
Factors for Equivalent Weight of
Composition B Explosive Equivalent
Factor
Comp B 1.00
PBXN-109 1.19
Tritonal 1.09
AFX-777 1.47
AFX-757 1.39
PAX-28 1.62
Composition B-3
During the development of a series of melt-castable explosive formulations devoid of
TNT, non-TNT formulations yielded self-heating temperatures significantly lower than
predicted. In other tests, Composition B (59.5% RDX, 39.5% TNT, 1% wax)
demonstrated an exceedingly low self-heating temperature that ultimately results in a
violent final reaction. It is often processed above its self-heating temperature, yet it is
safely processed in 300-gallon melt kettles. Researchers subjected Composition B and
its individual energetic components to one-liter cook-off testing. They expanded their
investigations to include neat TNT, neat RDX (HRDX), an insensitive RDX (IRDX)
essentially absent of microinclusions and voids, and Composition B-3 (60% RDX, 40%
TNT) made with IRDX. Following analysis of these tests, researchers also tested an
HRDX/TNT (13% HRDX, 87% TNT) mixture.
Neat TNT is thermally destabilized by the presence of RDX, either HRDX or IRDX,
indicating that RDX is the trigger in the thermal decomposition process associated with
Composition B (HRDX) and Composition B-3 (IRDX). The reaction violence of both neat
HRDX and Composition B made with HRDX were exceedingly violent, with either partial
detonation or detonation occurring. Additionally, researchers observed that the reaction
of Composition B-3 (IRDX/TNT) was more violent than either neat TNT or neat IRDX.
Once again, they hypothesized that solubilized RDX in molten TNT was the source of the
effect. They believe the high-quality, defect-free crystals of IRDX were modified by a
dynamic equilibrium in molten TNT, with IRDX solubilized and reprecipitated as ill-
defined, voided crystals similar to HRDX. They suspect these ill-defined RDX crystallites
present at cook-off temperatures were the source of the reaction violence at cook-off.
Composition C-3
Compositior C-3 is one of the Composition C series that has now been replaced by C-4,
especially for loading shaped charges. However, quantities of Composition C-1 and
Composition C-2 may be found in the field. Composition C-1 is 88.3% RDX and 11.7%
plasticizing oil. Composition C-3 is 77% RDX, 3% tetryl, 4% TNT, 1% NC, 5% MNT
(mononitrotoluol), and 10% DNT (dinitrotoluol). The last two compounds, while they are
explosives, are oily liquids and plasticize the mixture. The essential difference between
Composition C-3 and Composition C-2 is the substitution of 3% tetryl for 3% RDX,
which improves the plastic qualities. The changes were made in an effort to obtain a
plastic, puttylike composition to meet the requirements of an ideal explosive for molded
and shaped charges that will maintain its plasticity over a wide range of temperatures
and not exude oil.
Composition C-3 is about 1.35 times as powerful as TNT. The melting point of
Composition C-3 is 68°C, and it is soluble in acetone. The velocity of detonation is
approximate y 26,000 fps. Its color is light brown. As with Composition B, Composition
C is no longer being used as a gun projectile main charge. However, some stocks may
still be in service with Composition C-3 used as a main charge.

Composition C-4 / Comp C-4 Plastic Explosive

The plasticized form of RDX, composition C-4, contains 91% RDX, 2.1% polyisobutylene,
1.6% motor oil, and 5.3% 2-ethylhexyl sebacate.
The Demolition charge M183 is used primarily in breaching obstacles or demolition of
large structures where large charges are required (Satchel Charge). The charge assembly
M183 consists of 16 block demolition charges M112, four priming assemblies and
carrying case M85. Each Priming assembly consists of a five-foot length of detonating
cord assembled with two detonating cord clips and capped at each end with a booster.
The components of the assembly are issued in the carrying case. The demolition charge
M112 is a rectangular block of Composition C-4 approximately 2 inches by 1.5 inches
and 11 inches long, weighing 1.25 Lbs. When the charge is detonated, the explosive is
converted into compressed gas. The gas exerts pressure in the form of a shock wave,
which demolishes the target by cutting, breaching, or cratering.
Using explosives provides the easiest and fastest way to break the frozen ground.
However, the use of demolitions will be restricted when under enemy observation.
Composition C-4, tetrytol, and TNT are the best explosives for use in northern
operations because they retain their effectiveness in cold weather. Dig a hole in the
ground in which to place the explosive and tamp the charge with any material available
to increase its effectiveness. Either electric or nonelectric circuits may be used to
detonate the charge. For a foxhole, 10 pounds of explosive will usually be sufficient.
Another formula is to use 2 pounds of explosive for every 30 cm (1') of penetration in
frozen ground.
DMDNB (2-3 dimethyl, 2-3 dinitrobutane) is a new, military unique compound used
as a tagant in C-4 explosive. Therefore there is no OSHA or ACGIH standard. However,
USACHPPM's Toxicology Directorate did a study to determine an Army Exposure Limit.
There is no toxicological data for DMDNB's effects on the human body, but tests were
done on laboratory animals and they showed a reversible liver hypertrophy in rats that
were exposed to DMDNB. An exposure level was determined and a one thousand fold
safety factor was used to lower the Army exposure level to 0.15 mg/m^3. (At this level
there are no warning properties, i.e. smell, taste, etc.)
Composition H6 / COMP H6
H-6 is an Australian produced explosive composition. Composition H6 is a widely used
main charge filling for underwater blast weapons such as mines, depth charges,
torpedoes and mine disposal charges. The M21 AT mine is 230 millimeters in diameter
and 206 millimeters high. It weighs 7.6 kilograms and has 4.95 kilograms of
Composition H6 explosive.
In weapon applications, computational models require experimental data to determine
certain specific output parameters of H6 to predict various underwater blast scenarios.
To this end, the critical diameter dc, which is the minimum diameter which will sustain
a stable detonation, and the limiting value of the velocity of detonation at infinite charge
diameter D-infinity, were determined for unconfined cylinders of H6.
Cyclotol [Composition B]
Cyclotol, which is a mixture of RDX and TNT, is an explosive used in shaped charge
bombs.
CXM-6
On 30 August 1999 Holston Army Ammunition Plant restarted production of new
explosives to fill an order for Composition CXM-3. This is the first new explosive
production by Royal Ordnance North America (RONA) as the operating contractor at
Holston. CXM-3 will be supplied to Atlantic Research Corporation to fill warheads for the
Tomahawk missile system. RONA is also planning to produce other RDX and HMX
products, including approximately 800,000 pounds of Composition C-4, by the end of
December.
Detasheet
Detasheet is a plastic explosives, manufactured by DuPont containing PETN with
nitrocellulose and a binder. It is manufactured in thin flexible sheets with a rubbery
texture, and is generally coloured either reddish/orange (commercial) or green (military).
In use, it is typically cut to shape for precision engineering charges.

Dynamite
In 1847 a new explosive came into being. This was nitroglycerine, made by treating
glycerine with nitric and sulphuric acids. But at first it was even more dangerous to
handle than guncotton, for the least shock exploded it, and its violence was terrific. The
great chemist Alfred Nobel tried to improve it by mixing it with gunpowder, but the
powder did not absorb all the nitroglycerine, and accidents of the most terrible kind
became more and more frequent. Yet the new explosive, being liquid, could be poured
into crevices in rocks, and was so useful as a blasting agent that its manufacture went
on until a large vessel carrying cases of the explosive from Hamburg to Chili blew up at
sea. The ship was blown to bits and her crew killed, and the disaster caused so great a
sensation that the manufacture of nitroglycerine was prohibited in Sweden, Belgium,
and in England. But Nobel still continued his experiments, and at last, after trying
sawdust and all other sorts of absorbents in vain, found the perfect absorbent in the
shape of keiselguhr-a sort of earth made of fossil shells. The mixture is what we know
to-day as dynamite; and in spite of the fact that modern chemistry has produced very
many new explosives, some of terrific power, dynamite remains the safest and most
widely used of all explosives.
Many attempts have been made to use dynamite in guns; and the Americans at one time
built some huge air guns for the purpose of firing large shells, or rather aerial torpedoes,
charged with dynamite. But these guns, of which one or two were used in the Spanish-
American War, were very cumbersome and slow in use. Nor could they throw a projectile
to a greater distance than a mile. So they were soon abandoned in favor of rifled cannon-
firing shells loaded with explosives such as cordite or lyddite.
Dynamite was originally a mixture of nitroglycerin and diato-mite, a porous, inert silica.
Today, straight nitroglycerin dynamite consists of nitroglycerin, with sodium nitrate,
antacid, carbonaceous fuel, and sometimes sulfur in place of the inert filler. It is most
commonly manufactured in weight strengths of 20 to 60 percent. Because of the
tendency of nitroglycerin to freeze at low working temperature, another explosive oil
usually replaces part of the nitroglycerin in a straight dynamite.
Straight dynamite has a high detonation velocity which gives a shattering action. It
resists water well in the higher grades but poorly in the lower grades. Straight dynamite
generally has poor fume qualities, and is unsuitable for use underground or in poorly
ventilated spaces. The use of straight dynamite has declined because of high cost,
sensitivity to shock and friction, and high flammability. Ammonia ("extra") dynamites
have replaced straight dynamite in most applications.
Ditching dynamite is a name given to 50 percent straight dynamite. Its high sensitivity is
advantageous in ditching where sympathetic detonation eliminates the need for caps or
detonating fuse with individual charges. Sixty percent straight dynamite is sometimes
packaged in special cartridges for uncle rwater work.
Ammonia dynamites (extra dynamite) are the most widely used cartridge explosives. An
ammonia dynamite is similar to a straight dpmite except that ammonium nitrate
replaces a portion of the nitroglycerin and sodium nitrate. High-density ammonia
dynamite is commonly manufactured in weight strengths of 20 to 60 percent. It is
generally lower in detonation velocity, less dense, better in fume qualities, and
considerably less sensitive to shock and friction than straight dynamite. Extra dynamite
can be used effectively where the rock is not extremely hard and water conditions are
not severe. It is widely used in quarrying, stripping, and in well-ventilated mines for
smaller diameter holes of small blasting operations.
Low-density ammonia dynamite has a weight strength of approximately 65 percent and
a cartridge strength from 20 to 50 percent. Like a high-density extra dynamite, it
contains a low proportion of nitro-glycerin and a high proportion of ammonium nitrate.
The different cartridge strengths are obtained by varying the density and grain size of
the ingredients. Several manufacturers produce two series of low-density ammonia
dynamite, a high- and a low-velocity series. Both series are of lower velocity and density
than high-density extra dynamite. Because of its slow, heaving action, the low-velocity
series is well suited to blasting soft material such as clay- shale or where a coarse
product such as riprap is desired. It is well suited for use in structural excavation
blasting in certain rock types.
Fume qualities and water resistance vary with the cartridge material. Wrappers sprayed
with paraffin give fair to poor water resistance and fair fume rating, whereas a paraffin-
impregnated wrapper gives very poor water resistance and a better fume rating. The
explosive has little more water resistance than that provided by the wrapper. Low-
density extra is the lowest cost cartridge explosive available. The composition of low-
density ammonia dynamites is similar to that of a 60 percent high-density extra
dynamite with a lower proportion of nitroglycerin and a higher proportion of ammonium
nitrate.
Gelatin
Blasting gelatin is a rubber-textured explosive made by adding nitrocellulose (guncotton)
to nitroglycerin. An antacid is added for stability in storage. Wood meal is usually added
to improve sensitivity. Blasting gelatin attains a very high detonation velocity and has
excellent water resistance, but it emits large volumes of noxious fumes upon detonation.
It is the most powerful of all commercial explosives. Blasting gelatin is also known as "oil
well explosive."
Nobel did much more than merely invent dynamite; he also invented blasting gelatine,
gelatine dynamite, and gelignite, both of the latter being better suited for rock blasting
than pure dynamite. Blasting gelatine was used to pierce the great St. Gothard Railway
tunnel through rock so hard that without it the task could never have been
accomplished. Blasting gelatine was tried in guns, but burst them, so Nobel set himself
to discover an explosive less violent, yet equally clear and smokeless. By mixing
nitroglycerine and guncotton he found a comparatively slow-burning powder which he
called ballistite, and this, when he gave it to the world in 1888, caused a very great
sensation.
Straight gelatin is a dense, plastic explosive consisting of nitroglycerin or other explosive
oil gelatinized with. nitrocellulose, an antacid, sodium nitrate, carbonaceous fuel, and
sometimes sulfur. Since the gelatin tends to coat the other ingredients, straight gelatin
is water-proof. Straight gelatin is the equivalent of straight dynamite in the dynamite
category and is manufactured in weight strengths of 20 to 90 percent with
corresponding cartridge strengths of 30 to 80 percent. The cartridge strength or the
weight strength may be referred to by the manufacturer as the "grade" of the gelatin, a
term which is confusing. Straight gelatin has been used in very hard rock or as a bottom
charge in a column of explosives. It has been replaced in most applications by a more
economical substitute such as ammonia gelatin, brit higher grades are still used in
underwater blasting and in deep well shooting.
Straight gelatin has two characteristic detonation velocities, the confined velocity and a
much lower velocity which results from insufficient confinement, insufficient initiation,
or high hydrostatic, pressure. Extremely high water pressures may cause a misfire. To
overcome this disadvantage, high-velocity gelatin has been developed. High-velocity
gelatin is very similar to straight gelatin except that it is slightly less dense, more
sensitive to detonation, and always detonates near its rated velocity regardless of water
pressure or degree of confinement. High-velocity gelatin is particularly useful as a
seismic explosive, and is also used in deep well and underwater work.
Ammonia gelatin (special gelatin or gelatin extra) has a portion of the nitroglycerin and
sodium nitrate replaced by ammonium nitrate. Ammonia gelatin is comparable to a
straight gelatin in the same way that a high-density ammonia dynamite is comparable to
a straight dynamite, and was developed as a cheaper substitute. Ammonia gelatin is
commonly manufactured in weight strengths of 30 to 80 percent with corresponding
cartridge strengths of 35 to 72 percent. Compared with straight gelatin, ammonia gelatin
has a somewhat lower detonation velocity, better fume qualities, and less water
resistance, although it will fire efficiently even after standing in water for several days. It
is suitable for underground work because of its good fume rating. The higher strengths
(70 percent or higher) are efficient as primers for blasting agents.
A semigelatin is comparable to an ammonia gelatin as a low-density ammonia dynamite
is comparable to a high-density ammonia dynamite. Like low-density extras, semigelatin
has a uniform weight strength (60 to 65 percent) with the cartridge strength varying with
the density and grain size of the ingredients. Its properties fall betieen those of high-
density ammonia dynamite and ammonia gelatin, and it has great versatility.
Semigelatin can be used to replace ammonia dynamite when more water resistance is
needed. It is cheaper for wet work than ammonia gelatin, although its water resistance
is not quite as high as that of ammonia gelatin. Semigelatin has a confined detonation
velocity of 10,000 to 12,000 fps, which, b contrast to that of most explosives, is not
seriously affected by lack of confinement. Very good fume qualities permit its use
underground. The compositions are similar to ammonia gelatin with less nitroglycerin
and sodium nitrate and more ammonium nitrate.
H6
H-6 is a binary explosive that is a mixture of RDX, TNT, powered aluminum, and D-2
wax with calcium chloride added. H-6 is an Australian produced explosive composition
used by the military for general purpose bombs.
HBX [Hexahydro - 1, 3, 5 Trinitro-8-Triazine]
HBX is a form of high explosive made from TNT, RDX, aluminum, lecithin, and wax.
HBX was developed during WWII that replaced the more shock-sensitive TORPEX used
in depth bombs and torpedoes. The warhead for the 2.75-inch "Mighty Mouse" rocket
was filled with HBX (40 percent RDX, 38 percent TNT, 17 percent aluminum powder,
and 5 percent desensitizers) or composition B (59 percent RDX, 40 percent TNT, and 1
percent wax). All Navy warhead filling activities in the TNT Plant ceased in early The
major longer range improvements resulting were the Navy's development of HBX type
explosives together with asphaltic, "hot melt" liners for bombs and other munitions. The
hot melt liners were developed to coat and eliminate metal-to metal pinch points. After
the Naval Magazine, Port Chicago, CA accident of 17 July 1944 , HBX and H-6
explosives were developed that incorporated wax and other chemicals to desensitize the
explosive and hot melt liners were introduced for lining bombs and warheads to give
some thermal protection and eliminate potential pinch points from cracks or fissures in
the bomb or warhead case. Later, plastic-bonded explosives were developed for
increased thermal protection and fragment impact resistance.
LX-14
Minol
Although ANFO is not generally suitable for military use, since it's troublesome to store
without drying out, mixtures of AN and TNT known as "amatols" were used in both WWI
and WWII as a means of stretching the supply of explosives. The proportion of AN in the
mix ranged from 50% to 80%. A mix of ANFO, TNT, and powdered aluminum enhancer
named "Minol" is still in use [40% TNT, 40% ammonium nitrate, 20% aluminum]. Owing
to shortages of TNT and RDX (cyclonite) most World War II mines had had 50/50
ammonium nitrate and TNT (amatol) warheads. This was a low quality explosive but was
later improved by the addition of about 20% aluminum to produce minol.
Octol
The melt-cast explosive Octol is a TNT-based explosive (70% HMX:30% TNT or 75
percent HMX, 25 percent TNT). Explosives to be stored on Navy ships must not contain
TNT or Octol.
PBX
The ideal high-energy explosive must balance different requirements. HE should be easy
to form into parts but resistant to subsequent deformation through temperature,
pressure, or mechanical stress. It should be easy to detonate on demand but difficult to
explode accidentally. The explosive should also be compatible with all the materials it
contacts, and it should retain all its desirable qualities indefinitely.
No such explosive existed in 1944. While using what was available to meet wartime
demands, scientists at Los Alamos began to develop a high-energy, relatively safe,
dimensionally stable, and compositionally uniform explosive. By 1947, scientists at Los
Alamos had created the first plastic-bonded explosive (PBX), an RDX*-polystyrene
formulation later designated PBX 9205. Although other PBXs have since been
successfully formulated for a wide range of applications, only a handful have displayed
the combination of adequate energy content, mechanical properties, sensitivity, and
chemical stability required for stockpile nuclear weapons. Since the 1960s, Livermore
has been researching and developing safer HE for Livermore-designed weapons.
The plastic coating that binds the explosive granules, typically 5 to 20% of each
formulation by weight, is what gives each PBX its distinctive characteristics. Pressing a
PBX molding powder converts it into a solid mass, with the polymer binder providing
both mechanical rigidity and reduced sensitivity to accidental detonation. The choice of
binder affects hardness, safety, and stability. Too brittle a PBX can sustain damage in
normal handling and succumb to extreme temperature swings or thermal shocks, while
too soft a PBX may be susceptible to creep and may lack dimensional stability or
strength.
PBXN-5
PBXN-5 is referred to as a plastic-bonded explosive because it is an explosive coated
with plastic material. The composition is made of 95% HMX and 5% fluoroelastomers.
The Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS) Detonating Cord Assembly
consists of PBXN-8 explosive, silicone rubber, polyamide yarn type I and II, and
composition A-5 explosive. Grenade Assembly consists of PBXN-5 explosive booster
pellet, PBXN-9 explosive pellets, grenade tube, and male and female grenade shells.
Grenade Assembly consists of PBXN-5 explosive booster pellet, PBXN-9 explosive pellets,
grenade tube, unisex grenade shells, and ring clamp.
PBXN-7
China Lake designed, developed, and qualified the Tomahawk Block III WDU-36
warhead in 48 months to meet evolving Tomahawk requirements of insensitive
munitions ordnance compliance and range enhancement, while maintaining or
enhancing ordnance effectiveness. The WDU-36 uses a new warhead material based
upon prior China Lake warhead technology investigations, PBXN-107 explosive, the
FMU-148 fuze (developed and qualified for this application), and the BBU-47 fuze
booster (developed and qualified using the new PBXN-7 explosive). Block III was first
used in the September 1995 Bosnia strike (Deliberate Force) and a year later in the Iraq
strike (Desert Strike).
PBXN-9
PBXN-9 Explosive is made for the HELLFIRE/Longbow Missile System. Because of its
acceptance into a number of fleet uses, additional characterization and performance
tests were conducted on PBXN-9 to support various warhead developmental efforts.
Included are the results of various explosive performance tests, such as detonation
pressure, cylinder expansion (cylex),and wedge tests, as well as additional material
sensitivity studies (large-scale gap test and small-scale gap test).
The JASSM contains the WDU-42/B (J-1000), a 1000-pound class, penetrating warhead
with 240 pounds of AFX-757. AFX-757 is an extremely insensitive explosive developed
by the Air Force Research Laboratory/High Explosives Research and Development
Facility, Eglin AFB, Fla. The fuze is the FMU-156/B employing a 150-gram PBXN-9
booster.
The Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS) Detonating Cord Assembly
consists of PBXN-8 explosive, silicone rubber, polyamide yarn type I and II, and
composition A-5 explosive. Grenade Assembly consists of PBXN-5 explosive booster
pellet, PBXN-9 explosive pellets, grenade tube, and male and female grenade shells.
Grenade Assembly consists of PBXN-5 explosive booster pellet, PBXN-9 explosive pellets,
grenade tube, unisex grenade shells, and ring clamp.
A Low-Energy Exploding Foil Initiator (LEEFI) is a low-energy input device with high-
energy output that can detonate a main charge of PBXN-9.
PBXN-10
PBXN-106
This explosive is one of the new plastic-bonded explosives. It is a cast-cured explosive
composition made from a homogeneous mixture of RDX in a plasticized polyurethane
rubber matrix. Once cured, the material cannot be easily restored to a liquid state. The
finished material is flexible and will absorb considerably more mechanical shock than
conventional cast or pressed explosives.
PBXN-107
PBXN-109
PE4
PE4 is a conventional plastic explosive, widely used for the production of improved
energetic systems for defensive and offensive use. PE4 is RDX based and is available in
cartridge and bulk form. An extrudable for DEMEX 400 is also available. Distinctive
standard colours indicate the explosive component: C4, or PE4 ( British) is white and
Semtex-H is orange.
Pentolite
Pentolite is a mixture of equal parts of TNT and PETN. When cast, it has a specific
gratity of 1.65 and a confined detonation velocity of 24,000 to 25,000 fps. Cast pentolite
is used as a primer and booster for blasting agents where its high detonation pressure
assures efficient initiation of the blasting agent.
Semtex
Semtex is an explosive containing both RDX and PETN. Semtex, a Czech-made
explosive, has been used in many terrorist bombings. Dynamite has been replaced by
the more destructive and easily concealed Semtex. SEMTEX is a plastic explosive that is
odorless. SEMTEX along with a detonating cap, can be inserted inside a 5" x 6" musical
greeting card, undetected. Three pounds of Semtex plastique packs enough punch to
raze a two-story building. Terrorists attack with no warning and no rationale. Their
weapon of choice is a pliable, odorless substance that is twice as powerful as TNT and is
virtually invisible to conventional security devices. It can be hidden in a brief case or a
small cassette recorder.
Czechoslovakia was among the world's chief arms exporters. It sold hundreds of tanks,
thousands of firearms and large quantities of Semtex to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria,
Cambodia and other trouble spots, a practice that stopped long ago. In 1985 and 1986,
the Irish Republican Army [IRA] took delivery of nearly 120 tons of arms and explosives
from Libya, including a ton of Semtex explosive and 12 SAM-7 surface-to-air missiles.
Some of those weapons and explosives have been used by the IRA in terrorist attacks in
the United Kingdom and in other European countries. Libyan terrorists used Semtex in
1988 to down Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 persons.
The on-again, off-again export of the general-purpose plastic explosive Semtex,
manufactured in Czechoslovakia during the height of the Cold War and linked to
terrorist groups around the world, resumed in 1994. The Czech Republic recently
announced that exports were beginning to selected countries. The first Semtex shipment
under the resumed exportswent to the British Defense Ministry. Czech reporting
suggested that the British authorities intend to run experiments on the explosive that is
often used by Irish Republican Army terrorists-including the October 1993 destruction
of a building in Belfast.
According to the 1991 international convention signed in Montreal, Semtex intended for
industrial applications is to be a bright red-orange color and detectable by security-
monitoring equipment. Variants of the explosive produced for civilian purposes are also
less powerful than the nearly odorless version that became a favorite weapon of
terrorists. Despite this and the export ban that had earlier been in place, Semtex
continues to be smuggled across borders.
Substantial quantities of the explosive have been stolen from industrial enterprises in
the Czech and Slovak republics for sale on the black market. Shortly before the most
recent ban was lifted, Czech police seized 100 kilograms of industrial Semtex from a
group of Czech citizens who were planning its illegal sale abroad. In Slovakia in October
1993, some 900 kilograms of the explosive were stolen from the warehouse of a private
firm, together with more than 2,000 detonators. Czech officials candidly admit that they
have no idea how much Semtex has been stolen or illegally diverted, and the continued
black market trade in the explosive seems certain.
Slurries
Slurries, sometimes called water gels, contain ammonium nitrate partly in aqueous
solution. Depending on the remainder of the ingredients, slurries can be classified as
either blasting agents or explosives. Slurry blasting agents contain nonexplosive
sensitizers or fuels such as carbon, sulfur, or aluminum, and are not cap sensitive;
whereas slurry explosives contain cap- sensitive ingredients such as TNT and the
mixture itself may be cap sensitive. Slurries are thickened and gelled with a gum, such
as guar gum, to give considerable water resistance.
Since most slurries are not cap sensitive, all slurries, even those containing TNT, are
often grouped under the term blasting agent. This grouping is incorrect. A blasting
agent, as defined by the National Fire Protection Association, shall contain no ingredient
that is classified as an explosive.
Slurry blasting agents require adequate priming with a high-velocity explosive to attain
proper detonation velocities, and often require boosters of high explosive spaced along
the borehole to as sure complete detonation. Slurry explosives may or may not require
priming. The detonation velocities of slurries, between i2,000 and 18,000 fps, vary with
ingredients used, charge diameter, degree of confinement, and density. The detonation
velocity of a slurry, however, is not as dependent on charge diameter as that of a dry
blasting agent. The specific gratity varies from I.i to i.6. The consistency of most slurries
ranges from fluid near iOOO F to rigid at freezing temperatures, although some slurries
maintain their fluidity even at freezing temperatures. Slurries consequently give the
same advantageous direct borehole coupling as dry blasting agents as well as a higher
detonation velocity and a higher density. Thus, more energy can be loaded into a given
volume of borehole. Saving in costs realized by drilling smaller holes or using larger
burden and spacing will often more than offset the higher cost per pound of explosive.
Adding powdered aluminum as a sensitizer to slurries greatly increases the heat of
explosion or the energy release. Aluminized slurries have been used in extremely hard
rock with excellent results.
A slurry and a dry blasting agent may be used in the same borehole in "slurry boosting,"
with the buk of the charge being dry blasting agent. Boosters placed at regular intervals
may improve fragmentation. In another application of slurry boosting, the slurry is
placed in a position where fragmentation is difficult, such as a hard toe or a zone of hard
rock in the burden. The combination will often give better overall economy than straight
slurry or dry blasting agent.
Tetrytol
Tetrytol is a mixture of ~70% tetryl (2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-methylnitramine) and ~30%
TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. In 1944 the M104 auxiliary booster was first given to
Redstone Arsenal as an experimental order with instructions to develop a manufacturing
procedure for loading it with tetrytol. The booster had heretofore been loaded with tetryl
pellets. The tests that Redstone conducted showed that tetrytol-loaded M104 auxiliary
boosters had a greater brisance than the tetryl-loaded ones but that a heavier booster
charge was required for detonation. Since such a booster charge was already available,
the tetrytol-loaded auxiliary booster was considered more satisfactory than the tetryl-
loaded one.
TORPEX
TORPEX is an explosive based on trinitrotoluene (TNT) that gave a greater blast than
TNT, but was more sensitive. It was replaced by HBX or HBX-1 later in WWII. Torpex is
RDX/TNT/Aluminum/Wax desensitizer. It was used in several types of torpedoes and
mines. Due to it sensitivity to bullet impact, the first weapons loaded were ones for
which there would be the least possibility of rifle bullet and fragment attack, namely,
submarine delivered mines and torpedoes. The loading stations were advised that they
must take adequate care in mixing and loading and in the handling of the loaded items.
It was declared that the British had been able to handle it without incident for 2 years
and that the risk was worth the advantage gained in its underwater power.
Tritonal
The GBU-28 contains only six hundred pounds of Tritonal. The BLU-109/B was an
improved 2,000-pound-class penetrator bomb designed for attacking the most hardened
targets. Its skin was much harder than that of a standard iron bomb, consisting of a
single-piece, forged warhead casing of one-inch, high-grade steel. The bomb featured a
550 pound tritonal high-explosive blast warhead and was always mated with a laser
guidance kit to form a laser-guided bomb. The Tritonal filling of the BLU-109/B is
similar in size to the warhead of the Mk.48 series torpedo. Explosive (NEW) 535 lbs.
Tritonal in the BLU-109 and 945 lbs. of Tritonal on the MK 84.
The Munitions Directorate's successful completion of the Miniaturized Munition
Technology Demonstration (MMTD) Program, has provided an innovative weapon called
the Small Smart Bomb. The miniaturized munition concept includes a weapon that issix
feet long, six inches in diameter, and weighs only 250 pounds with approximately fifty
pounds of Tritonal explosive material. The weapon is effective against a majority of
hardened targets previously vulnerable only to munitions in the 2,000 pound class. The
Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate has set the baseline for small
bomb development by successfully demonstrating the technology that will be used to
further the development of a 250-pound class munition. Small Smart Bomb's size will
allow future fighter and bomber aircraft to carry more weapons in their weapons bays.
Polynitrocubane Super Explosives are a family of new energetics. In FY96, the Army
initiated the synthesis of a more powerful polynitrocubane explosive. In FY97, the Army
scaled up the polynitrocubane explosive to pound level. In FY98, scale up the
polynitrocubane explosive to pilot plant quantity and initiate formulation study for anti-
armor warhead (Shaped Charge or explosively Formed Penetrator) loading. In FY99,
conduct static warhead test using the polynitrocubane explosive to show increase in
energy performance by up to 25 percent and with comparable sensitivity to LX-14.
The current winner in the most powerful explosives debate is heptanitrocubane (HpNC).
It has beat out the theoretically more powerful octanitrocubane (ONC) in actual tests
recently performed. ONC has only been synthesized in the last year, but it has been
calculated to have the greatest density of any explosive we could make. In reality ONC
does not achieve this theoretical density. Since it has existed for such a short time,
researchers conclude that they simply have yet to find its most dense crystalline form.
The default winner is the next best thing, HpNC. Further conjecture into nitro cubane
chemistry has hypothesized at the possibility of polynitrocubane molecules which could
achieve even greater densities.