C4 (explosives)

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Preparing to detonate an anchor chain with C4 during training in the US Navy
C4 explosives in stick form to prepare the detonation of ammunition to be destroyed

C4 (English: Composite Compound 4) is a very effective plastic explosive that is often used in the military . In England it is also called PE4 (Plastic Explosive 4).

properties

C4 is one of the malleable explosives . Due to its chemical composition, it is difficult to detect by conventional explosives detectors.

The storage of C4 is relatively harmless as it is safe to handle. Neither fire, electricity, nor shock (even with a hammer) will cause an explosion. If you light it, it will burn without exploding. Only sufficiently strong pressure combined with heating can lead to an explosion; even incendiary ammunition was not sufficient in tests.

composition

C4 consists of 91% hexogen , 5.3% bis (2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS), 2.1% polyisobutylene and 1.6% mineral oil. In order to make the misuse of C4 more difficult, strong-smelling substances have been added to the explosives during production for some time, with the help of which it can be more easily detected by sniffer dogs . Metal dust is incorporated for better visibility in X-ray machines or to find it with metal detectors .

Manufacturing

The hexogen is slurried with water. The polyisobutylene is then dissolved in a suitable solvent ( methylene chloride or chloroform ) using the DOS and mixed with the hexogen. The solvent is distilled off and the product can be used.

literature

  • Rudolf Biedermann: The explosives - their chemistry and technology . Reprint 2000 edition. Survival Press, Radolfzell 1918, ISBN 3-89811-839-8 .
  • Richard Escales: The Explosives . In: initial explosives . Reprint 2002 edition. 7th volume. Survival Press, Radolfzell 1917, ISBN 3-8311-3939-3 .
  • Oscar Guttmann: Handbook of blasting work . Survival Press, Radolfzell 1899, reprint 2001, ISBN 3-8311-3095-7

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Jim Owens: Recent Developments in Composition C-4: Towards an Alternate Binder and Reduced Sensitivity . BAE Systems OSI. Retrieved May 3, 2019.

Web links