Plastic explosive

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Disposal of munitions with plastic explosives; note the malleability of the white plastic explosive charges Preparation of the demolition with explosive charges and wire (22731570152).jpg
Disposal of munitions with plastic explosives; note the malleability of the white plastic explosive charges

Plastic explosive is a soft and hand-moldable solid form of explosive material. Within the field of explosives engineering, plastic explosives are also known as putty explosives [1] or blastics.

Contents

Plastic explosives are especially suited for explosive demolition. Common plastic explosives include Semtex and C-4. The first manufactured plastic explosive was gelignite in 1875, invented by Alfred Nobel.

Usage

A C-4 charge packed onto a marine anchor chain C4 plastic explosive.jpg
A C-4 charge packed onto a marine anchor chain

Plastic explosives are especially suited for explosive demolition of obstacles and fortifications by combat engineers as they can be easily formed into ideal shapes for cutting structural members and have a high enough velocity of detonation and density for metal cutting work.

An early use of plastic explosives was in the warhead of the Petard demolition mortar of the British Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers (AVRE) which was used to destroy concrete fortifications encountered during Operation Overlord (D-Day). The original use of Nobel 808 supplied by the SOE was for sabotage of German installations and railways in Occupied Europe.[ citation needed ]

They are generally not used for ordinary blasting as they tend to be significantly more expensive than other materials that perform just as well. A common commercial use of plastic explosives is for shock hardening high manganese percentage steel, a material typically used for train rail components and earth digging implements. [2]

Reactive armor in tanks uses plastic explosives sandwiched between two plates of steel. Incoming high explosive shaped charge anti-tank rounds pierce the outer steel plate, then detonate the plastic explosive. This disrupts the energy from the incoming round and shields the tank. [3] : 9 

History

PE4 sticks, used alongside the L3A1 slab version by the British armed forces prior to the adoption of the later L20A1 block/L21A1 slab PE7 and L22A1 slab PE8 explosives This image shows the pile of UXO and a box of the PE4 explosive, which was used to detonate the deadly munitions. MOD 45146241.jpg
PE4 sticks, used alongside the L3A1 slab version by the British armed forces prior to the adoption of the later L20A1 block/L21A1 slab PE7 and L22A1 slab PE8 explosives

The first plastic explosive was gelignite, invented by Alfred Nobel in 1875. [4] Prior to World War I, the British explosives chemist Oswald Silberrad obtained British and U.S. patents for a series of plastic explosives called "Nitrols", composed of nitrated aromatics, collodion, and oxidising inorganic salts. The language of the patents indicate that at this time, Silberrad saw no need to explain to "those versed in the art" either what he meant by plasticity or why it may be advantageous, as he only explains why his plastic explosive is superior to others of that type. [5]

One of the simplest plastic explosives was Nobel's Explosive No. 808, of the gelignite type, also known as Nobel 808 (often just called Explosive 808 in the British Armed Forces during the Second World War), developed by the British company Nobel Chemicals Ltd well before World War II. It had the appearance of green plasticine with a distinctive smell of almonds. During World War II it was extensively used by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) at Aston House for sabotage missions. [6] It is also the explosive used in HESH anti-tank shells and was an essential factor in the devising of the Gammon grenade. Captured SOE-supplied Nobel 808 was the explosive used in the failed 20 July plot assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler in 1944. [7]

During and after World War II a number of new RDX-based explosives were developed, including Compositions C, C2, and eventually C3. Together with RDX, these incorporate various plasticizers to decrease sensitivity and make the composition plastic. The origin of the obsolete term "plastique" dates back to the Nobel 808 explosive introduced to the U.S. by the British in 1940. The samples of explosive brought to the U.S. by the Tizard Mission had already been packaged by the SOE ready for dropping via parachute container to the French Resistance and were therefore labeled in French, as Explosif Plastique. It is still referred to by this name in France and also by some Americans.

Types

Composition C

The British used a plastic explosive during World War II as a demolition charge. The specific explosive, Composition C, was 88.3% RDX and 11.7% non-oily, non-explosive plasticizer. [8] The material was plastic between 0 and 40 °C (32–104 °F), but was brittle at colder temperatures and gummy at higher temperatures. Composition C was superseded by Composition C2, which used a mixture of 80% RDX and 20% plasticizer. Composition C2 had a wider temperature range at which it remained plastic, from −30 to 52 °C (−22 to 126 °F). Composition C2 was replaced by Composition C3, which was a mixture of 77% RDX and 23% explosive plasticizer. [9] : 8–109  C3 was effective but proved to be too brittle in cold weather and was replaced with C4. There are three classes of C4, with varying amounts of RDX and polyisobutylene. [9] : 8–111 

Semtex

List of plastic explosives

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RDX</span> Explosive chemical compound

RDX (abbreviation of "Research Department eXplosive" or Royal Demolition eXplosive) or hexogen, among other names, is an organic compound with the formula (CH2N2O2)3. It is white, odorless, and tasteless, widely used as an explosive. Chemically, it is classified as a nitroamine alongside HMX, which is a more energetic explosive than TNT. It was used widely in World War II and remains common in military applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Explosive</span> Substance that can explode

An explosive is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure. An explosive charge is a measured quantity of explosive material, which may either be composed solely of one ingredient or be a mixture containing at least two substances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semtex</span> General purpose plastic explosive

Semtex is a general-purpose plastic explosive containing RDX and PETN. It is used in commercial blasting, demolition, and in certain military applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentaerythritol tetranitrate</span> Explosive chemical compound

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), also known as PENT, pentyl, PENTA, TEN, corpent, or penthrite, is an explosive material. It is the nitrate ester of pentaerythritol, and is structurally very similar to nitroglycerin. Penta refers to the five carbon atoms of the neopentane skeleton. PETN is a very powerful explosive material with a relative effectiveness factor of 1.66. When mixed with a plasticizer, PETN forms a plastic explosive. Along with RDX it is the main ingredient of Semtex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C-4 (explosive)</span> Variety of plastic explosive

C-4 or Composition C-4 is a common variety of the plastic explosive family known as Composition C, which uses RDX as its explosive agent. C-4 is composed of explosives, plastic binder, plasticizer to make it malleable, and usually a marker or odorizing taggant chemical. C-4 has a texture similar to modelling clay and can be molded into any desired shape. C-4 is relatively insensitive and can be detonated only by the shock wave from a detonator or blasting cap.

A Bangalore torpedo is an explosive charge placed within one or several connected tubes. It is used by combat engineers to clear obstacles that would otherwise require them to approach directly, possibly under fire. It is sometimes colloquially referred to as a "Bangalore mine", "banger" or simply "Bangalore" as well as a pole charge.

An explosive booster is a sensitive explosive charge that acts as a bridge between a conventional detonator and a low-sensitivity explosive such as TNT. By itself, the initiating detonator would not deliver sufficient energy to set off the low-sensitivity charge. However, it detonates the primary charge, which then delivers an explosive shockwave that is sufficient to detonate the secondary, main, high-energy charge.

A triggering sequence, also called an explosive train or a firing train, is a sequence of events that culminates in the detonation of explosives. For safety reasons, most widely used high explosives are difficult to detonate. A primary explosive of higher sensitivity is used to trigger a uniform and predictable detonation of the main body of the explosive. Although the primary explosive itself is generally a more sensitive and expensive compound, it is only used in small quantities and in relatively safely packaged forms. By design there are low explosives and high explosives made such that the low explosives are highly sensitive and high explosives are comparatively insensitive. This not only affords inherent safety to the usage of explosives during handling and transport, but also necessitates an explosive triggering sequence or explosive train. The explosive triggering sequence or the explosive train essentially consists of an 'initiator', an 'intermediary' and the 'high explosive'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Composition B</span> Explosive, a mix of RDX and TNT

Composition B, also known as Hexotol and Hexolite, is a high explosive consisting of castable mixtures of RDX and TNT. It is used as the main explosive filling in artillery projectiles, rockets, land mines, hand grenades, and various other munitions. It was also used for the explosive lenses in the first implosion-type nuclear weapons developed by the United States.

The Composition C family is a family of related US-specified plastic explosives consisting primarily of RDX. All can be moulded by hand for use in demolition work and packed by hand into shaped-charge devices. Variants have different proportions and plasticisers and include Composition C-1, Composition C-2, Composition C-3, and Composition C-4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torpex</span> High explosive

Torpex is a secondary explosive, 50% more powerful than TNT by mass. Torpex comprises 42% RDX, 40% TNT and 18% powdered aluminium. It was used in the Second World War from late 1942, at which time some used the names Torpex and RDX interchangeably, much to the confusion of today's historical researchers. Torpex proved to be particularly useful in underwater munitions because the aluminium component made the explosive pulse last longer, which increased the destructive power. Besides torpedoes, naval mines, and depth charges, Torpex was only used in the Upkeep, Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs as well as the drones employed in Operation Aphrodite. Torpex has long been superseded by H6 and Polymer-bonded explosive (PBX) compositions. It is regarded as obsolete and Torpex is unlikely to be encountered except in old munitions or unexploded ordnance, although a notable exception to this is the Sting Ray lightweight torpedo, which as of October 2020 remains in service with the Royal Navy and several foreign militaries. The German equivalent of Torpex was Trialen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FOX-7</span> Chemical compound

FOX-7 or 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene(DADNE) is an insensitive high explosive compound. It was first synthesized in 1998 by the Swedish National Defence Research Institute (FOA). The name FOX-7 is derived from the acronym of the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), with the I replaced by an X to indicate an explosive, as in RDX and HMX.

Nobel Enterprises is a chemicals business that used to be based at Ardeer, in the Ayrshire town of Stevenston, in Scotland. Specialising in nitrogen-based propellants and explosives and nitrocellulose-based products such as varnishes and inks. It was formerly ICI Nobel, a division of the chemicals group ICI, but was then sold to Inabata, a Japanese trading firm. The business was sold on to Chemring Group in 2005 and is now a Scottish Company, part of Chemring Group. Stefan Donald is currently the lead engineer for the ongoing regeneration project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erythritol tetranitrate</span> Chemical compound

Erythritol tetranitrate (ETN) is an explosive compound chemically similar to PETN, though it is thought to be slightly more sensitive to friction and impact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chemring Group</span> United Kingdom business

Chemring Group plc is a global business providing a range of advanced technology products and services to the aerospace, defence and security markets. Chemring has extensive operations in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">F1 grenade (Australia)</span> Time-fuzed hand grenade

The F1 grenade is manufactured by Thales Australia exclusively for the Australian Defence Force as a primary defensive anti-personnel hand grenade.

Explosive materials are produced in numerous physical forms for their use in mining, engineering, or military applications. The different physical forms and fabrication methods are grouped together in several use forms of explosives.

This timeline lists the development of explosives and related events.

References

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  4. ↑ Braddock, Kevin (3 February 2011). "How to handle gelignite". Wired Magazine. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  5. ↑ Silberrad, Oswald. (1914). Explosive (United States patent #1092758). United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/1092758
  6. ↑ Turner, Des (2006). Station 12: Aston House - SOE's Secret Centre. The History Press Ltd. ISBN   0750942770.
  7. ↑ "sep 1, 1939 - Nobel Chemicals LTD produces the plastic explosive, Nobel 808, for use in World War 2 (Timeline)". time.graphics. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  8. ↑ Department of the Navy, Bureau of Ordnance (28 May 1947). "U.S. Explosive Ordnance, OP1664". maritime.org. San Francisco National Maritime Park Association. p. 5. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  9. 1 2 Military Explosives. 1989.
  10. ↑ "HIGH EXPLOSIVE PRODUCTS > Energetic materials for operational effectiveness" (PDF). www.thalesgroup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Explosives for Explosives". DVIDS. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  12. ↑ "HIGH EXPLOSIVE PRODUCTS" (PDF). Australian Munitions. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 "Explosive Blocks". Eurenco. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
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  18. ↑ "RDM receives follow-on order for plastic explosives". 18 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "100 Years of Production and Development - From Explosives to Pharmaceutical Ingredients". explosif.ch. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
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  22. ↑ Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (1974). "Defence Standard 13–31 Demolition Stores and Equipment 1973 (Amended 1974)" (PDF). Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  23. 1 2 Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (1980). Army Code No. 71271 (Pam 4), Military Engineering Volume II, Pamphlet No. 4 Demolitions.
  24. 1 2 Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (1974). "Defence Standard 13–31 Demolition Stores and Equipment 1973 (Amended 1974)" (PDF). Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  25. 1 2 Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (2006). "Joint Service Publication 403 Handbook of Defence Land Ranges Safety, Volume 5, Chapter 3" (PDF). Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  26. ↑ Mondial Defence Systems. "Plastic Explosive No.4 (PE4)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-19. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
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  29. ↑ Primetake (2012). "Charge Demolition PE 8oz (250g)" (PDF). Retrieved 30 November 2021.
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