What is an insensitive high explosive?
Explosive insensitivity is defined by a non-reaction to certain relevant stimuli: impact, friction, spark, shock, and thermal. Insensitivity to stimuli usually come at the price of performance, and IHEs routinely do not initiate as easily, have slower detonation velocities and lower pressures.
Which category of high explosive is much less sensitive?
Secondary high explosives, chiefly nitrates, nitro compounds, and nitramines, are much less sensitive to mechanical or thermal shock, but they explode with great violence when set off by an initiating explosive.
What are the 3 categories of high explosives?
High explosives are divided into three main categories, Primary (or Initiating) High Explosives, Secondary High Explosives, Boosters and Secondary High Explosives, Main Charge. As with many of the terms associated with explosions, there is also other terms that describe combustion explosions, “Deflagration Explosion”.
What are the four types of explosives?
1. Introduction
- blasting and bulk explosives (explosives used for commercial blasting applications or for their manufacture);
- perforating explosives (intended for use in the oil and gas well industry);
- special-application explosives (high explosives used for other applications, including primary explosives).
What is an IM explosive?
Insensitive munitions (IM) are energetics in newer military explosives and are generally considered more stable than traditional explosives.
What is a card gap test?
The card-gap test is a widely used method for evaluating the sensitivity to detonation of explosives and hazardous chemicals. Recent work at the Bureau of Mines has led to modi- fications of this test which have reduced some of the ambiguities in the interpretation of re- sults using earlier versions.
Why is HMX a good explosive?
Because of its high molecular weight, it is one of the most potent chemical explosives manufactured, although a number of newer ones, including HNIW and ONC, are more powerful.
Which explosive is more sensitive?
Straight Dynamite – Nitroglycerin in an absorbent, with velocities between 10,000 and 20,000 feet per second. This dynamite is the most sensitive of all commercial explosives.
What is the most powerful high explosive?
HMX is the most powerful high explosive produced in industrial quantities today. It is a relatively insensitive, temperature-stable and safe-to-handle high explosive that makes it useful in a variety of applications both in military and civilian end products.
What is an example of a high explosive?
Nitroglycerine, trinitrotoluene, and RDX are high explosives.
What are munitions constituents?
(3) The term “munitions constituents” means any materials originating from unexploded ordnance, discarded military munitions, or other military munitions, including explosive and nonexplosive materials, and emission, degradation, or breakdown elements of such ordnance or munitions.
What is in Semtex?
Semtex is based on PETN-RDX (Penaerythrite tetranitrate – Research Development Explosive), a plastic explosive formerly made by Explosia in the Czech Republic. It is a favourite explosive of terrorist groups, particularly PIRA, as only small amounts are needed for horrendous results.
Why is HMX better than RDX?
As an explosive, HMX is superior to RDX. Because of its higher density, HMX is used where high energy and lower volume are important. HMX is more resistant to degradation and chemical substitution than RDX (Urbanski.
Is C-4 stronger than TNT?
C4 yields a higher peak pressure than TNT so the weight of C4 that yields a peak pressure equivalent to a given weight of TNT was determined based on the relationship that peak pressure is proportional to heat of detonation [4].
How explosive is Semtex?
Semtex is a general-purpose plastic explosive containing RDX and PETN. It is used in commercial blasting, demolition, and in certain military applications.
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Composition.
| Compound | PETN |
|---|---|
| Semtex 1A | 76% |
| Semtex H | 40.9% |
| Semtex 2P | 58.45% |
Is TNT considered a high explosive?
❖ TNT is one of the most widely used military high explosives, partly because of its insensitivity to shock and friction. It has been used extensively in the manufacture of explosives since the beginning of the 20th century and is used in military cartridge casings, bombs and grenades (ATSDR 1995; Cal/EPA 2008).
What is IM explosive?
What is a military munition?
— (A) The term “military munitions” means all ammunition products and components produced for or used by the armed forces for national defense and security, including ammunition products or components under the control of the Department of Defense, the Coast Guard, the Department of Energy, and the National Guard.
Is C-4 edible?
When ingested, C4 results in serious CNS effects such as generalized seizures in addition to renal and GI symptoms. Based on previous reports, the toxic presentation is transient and treatment is supportive. Critical actions include airway maintenance, seizure control, and fluid resuscitation.
How sensitive is PETN?
PETN-PO and PETN-CH have measurably higher sensitivity to impact than the other materials, with drop heights of ~8 ± 2 cm (PETN has an impact sensitivity of 12 ± 2 cm; larger numbers indicate less sensitive materials).
Which is the most powerful explosive?
Nitroglycerine, discovered in 1846, still remains the most powerful explosive in practical use.
What happens if you eat C4?
Ingestion of C-4 commonly results in seizures, nausea, and vomiting. Seizures associated with C-4 toxicity respond to standard doses of benzodiazepines.
What does C4 smells like?
The final material is a solid with a dirty white to light brown color, a putty-like texture similar to modeling clay, and a distinct smell of motor oil.
Can C4 destroy a tank?
C4 is a great anti-tank weapon if a LAW is not available. If the C4 is attached to the tank when it detonates, it will immediately destroy the tank.
What is C4 made of?
C4 was used during the Vietnam War as part of demolition blocks; today, it is commonly used in both military and civilian settings for demolition and flares. C4 is composed of RDX (91%), dioctyl sebacate (5.3%), polyisobutylene (2.1%), and mineral/motor oil (1.6%) [1].