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Improvised Munitions Handbook (Improvised Explosive Devices or ...

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A2.7 Military Dynamite<br />

Description<br />

Military (construction) dynamite, unlike commercial dynamite, does not abs<strong>or</strong>b <strong>or</strong> retain<br />

moisture, contains no nitroglycerin, and is much safer to st<strong>or</strong>e, handle, and transp<strong>or</strong>t. It<br />

comes in standard sticks 1-1/4 inches in diameter by 8 inches long, weighing approximately<br />

1/2 pound. It detonates at a velocity of about 20,000 feet per second and is very satisfact<strong>or</strong>y<br />

f<strong>or</strong> military construction, quarrying, and demolition w<strong>or</strong>k. It may be detonated with an<br />

electric <strong>or</strong> nonelectric military blasting cap <strong>or</strong> detonating c<strong>or</strong>d.<br />

Comments<br />

This material was tested. It is effective.<br />

References<br />

FM 5-25, <strong>Explosive</strong>s and Demolitions, page 7.<br />

TM 9-1910, Military <strong>Explosive</strong>s, page 204.<br />

A2.8 Amatol<br />

Description<br />

Amatol is a high explosive, white to buff in col<strong>or</strong>. It is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and<br />

TNT, with a relative effectiveness slightly higher than that of TNT alone. Common<br />

compositions vary from 80% ammonium nitrate and 20% TNT to 40% ammonium nitrate<br />

and 60% TNT. Amatol is used as the main bursting charge in artillery shell and bombs.<br />

Amatol abs<strong>or</strong>bs moisture and can f<strong>or</strong>m dangerous compounds with copper and brass.<br />

Theref<strong>or</strong>e it should not be housed in containers of such metals.<br />

Comments<br />

This material was tested. It is effective.<br />

References<br />

FM 5-25, <strong>Explosive</strong>s and Demolitions, page 7.<br />

TM 9-1910, Military <strong>Explosive</strong>s, page 182.<br />

A2.9 PETN<br />

Description<br />

PETN (pentaerythrite tetranitrate), the high explosive used in detonating c<strong>or</strong>d, is one of the<br />

most powerful of military explosives, almost equal in f<strong>or</strong>ce to nitroglycerin and RDX. When<br />

used in detonating c<strong>or</strong>d, it has a detonation velocity of 21,000 feet per second and is<br />

relatively insensitive to friction and shock from handling and transp<strong>or</strong>tation.<br />

Comments<br />

This material was tested. It is effective.<br />

References<br />

FM 5-25, <strong>Explosive</strong>s and Demolitions, page 7.<br />

TM 9-1910, Military <strong>Explosive</strong>s, page 135.<br />

TM 31-201-1, Unconventional Warfare <strong>Devices</strong> and Techniques, para 1508.

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