Plastic Explosive, Composition C-3This is a common US Plastic-type explosive which is putty-like, yellow, smelly and with a sensitivity comparable with TNT It has a high detonating velocity of 26,000 feet per second, and is ideal for cutting steel because of this velocity and its plastic form.Plastic Explosive, Composition C-4This is a dirty white colored plastic explosive which remains plastic over a wide range of temperatures but becomes brittle with extreme cold. It is odorless, waterproof and erodes less than other plastic explosives when left underwater for long periods. It has a higher detonating rate and shattering effect than TNT, at about 26,000 FPSComposition BThis is a dirty white to yellow colored explosive made of a mixture of TNT, R.D.X., and wax. It is replacing TNT, to some extent in munitions and is used in shaped charges.AmatolIs a mixture of Ammonium Nitrate and TNT, with a relative effectiveness higher than TNT It is straw to white in color and is less sensitive than TNT It is made with varying percentages of ammonium nitrate, with the 80/20 mixture probably the most common.PETNPentaerythritetranitrate is a white explosive sometimes used as a main charge, but more often as a secondary explosive. It is almost as powerful as nitroglycerin, with a detonating velocity of up to and over 27,000 feet per second. It is also used in detonating cord.R.D.X.This is sometimes called "Cyclonite", and is a white explosive with velocities and shattering capabilities second only to nitroglycerin. It is used in mixed form as a military main charge explosive and also as the base charge in many types of blasting caps. It is also used in some detonating cord.TETRYLThis is a yellow, fairly sensitive explosive, which is used as a military main charge and often as a secondary or "Booster" explosive.Military DynamiteUnlike commercial dynamites, this contains NO nitroglycerin. It is waterproof, buff in color and packaged in standard 1 1/4 X 8-inch cartridges. Military dynamites are relatively insensitive, with a maximum velocity of about 20,000 feet per second, and are used for construction purposes.Ammonium Nitrate Cratering ChargesFor cratering, ditching and quarrying, the military uses a commercial blasting agent in a 7-inch diameter, 24-inch long metal container which weighs 43 pounds. It is also called "Nitromon".115
