What does C4 mean?
Composition C-4 is a variety of plastic explosives that uses RDX as its explosives agent.C-4 is a mixture of explosives, plastic binder and plasticizer that can be used to make markers or odorizing chemicals.The texture of C-4 is similar to modelling clay.C-4 can only be exploded by a shock wave from a detonator or blasting cap.
PE-4 is a British plastic explosives based on RDX but with different plasticizer than Composition C-4.4.
Composition C is a family of chemical explosives.Composition C-2 has different proportions and plasticisers.Composition C was developed by the British during World War II and was later introduced to the U.S. military.It was replaced by Composition C-2 around 1943.The safety of usage and storage was improved when the concentration of RDX was increased.The new material, C-4, did not begin pilot production until 1956, but research on a replacement for C3 began before 1950.The patent was submitted for "Solid Propellant and a Process for its preparation" on March 31, 1958.[5]
The Composition C-4 used by the United States armed forces is bound by a mixture of 5.3% dioctyl sebacate (DOS) or adipate (DOA) as the plasticizer.In the manufacture of C-4, low-viscosity motor oil is used.[6]
The British PE4 is made up of 88.0% RDX, 1.0% pentaerythrite dioleate and 11.0%DG-29 lithium grease.A taggant is added at a minimum of 0.10% weight of the plastic explosives, typically at 1.0% mass.The newer PE7 consists of 88.0% RDX, 1.0% DMNB taggant and 11.0% of a binder composed of low molecular mass hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene.The PE8 consists of 86.5% RDX, 1.0% DMNB taggant and 12.5% of a binder composed of di(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate.
C-4 is made by combining the above ingredients with binders dissolved in a solvent.The solvent is obtained after the ingredients have been mixed.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.There are differences in the composition of C-4 depending on its intended usage and the manufacturer.According to the 1990 U.S. Army technical manual, Class IV composition C-4 consists of 89.9% RDX, 10% polyisobutylene, and 0.20% lamp black.RDX classes A, B, E, and H can be used in C-4.The classes are measured by the amount of dust in the air.10
In the manufacturing process for Composition C-4, wet RDX and plastic binder are added to a mixing kettle.This is the process of coating.A mixture is obtained by tumbling the kettle.After transfer to drying trays, this mixture must be dried.It is recommended to dry with forced air for 16 hours.[7]:198
C-4 produced for use by the U.S. military, as well as commercial and PE-4 from the United Kingdom each have their own unique properties.The analytical techniques of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been demonstrated to discriminate finite differences in different C-4 sources.Alterations in atomic concentrations are visible anddefinable.[13]
C-4 is very resistant to physical shocks.C-4 can't be dropped onto a hard surface or shot at.When set on fire or exposed to microwaves, it does not explode.When a detonator is fired, detonation can only be initiated by a shock.Nitrogen, water and carbon oxides are released when C-4 is exploded.The detonation has an explosion rate of 8,092 m/s.There are no comments at this time.
C-4 can be molded into a variety of shapes to change the direction of the explosion.C4 has a high cutting ability.The complete severing of a 14-inch deep I-beam takes between 1.5 and 2 lbs of C4 when applied in thin sheets.[16]
The M112 demolition block is usually packaged as military grade C-4.The demolition charge M112 is a rectangular block of Composition C-4 about 2 by 1.5 inches (51mm 38mm) and 11 by 300mm long.The M112 is wrapped in a Mylar-film container with a pressure-sensitive tape on one surface.[18][19]
The M112 demolition blocks of C-4 are commonly manufactured into the M183 "demolition charge assembly".The M183 can be used to demolish large structures.The detonating cord is assembled with clips and capped at each end with a booster.The compressed gas is created when the charge is detonated.The gas exerts pressure in the form of a shock wave, which demolishes the target by cutting, breaching, or cratering.[2]
Composition C-4 is in the U.S. Army Hazardous Components Safety Data Sheet.Composition C-4 is less sensitive than composition C-3 according to impact tests done by the U.S. military.A large amount of binder is to blame for the insensitivity.A series of shots were fired at C-4 in a test called the rifle bullet test.The 20% of the vials that burned did not explode.C-4 failed the shock, sympathetic detonation and shaped charge jet tests after passing the Army's bullet impact and fragment impact tests.The "pendulum friction test", which measured a five-second explosion temperature, was one of the additional tests.The minimum charge is either lead azide or tetryl.There was no loss in the first 48 hours and no explosions in 100 hours.A small amount of gas can be found in 40 hours with the vacuum stability test at 100 C.Composition C-4 is nothygroscopic.[7]
The size of the nitramine particles has an effect on the shock sensitivity of C-4.They help to absorb and suppress shock.Using 3-nitrotriazol-5-one (NTO), or 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), as a substitute for RDX, is able to improve stability.[2]
The effects of C-4 on humans are unknown.Multiple generalized seizures, vomiting, and changes in mental activity occur within a few hours.There is a strong link between the two.If swallowed, patients may be given a dose of active charcoal to remove some of the toxins and haloperidol to help control the seizures.Small amounts of C-4 are not known to cause long-term impairment.[23]
If C-4 is marked with a taggant, it can be detected before it explodes.A variety of methods can be used to identify C-4.There are a number of things that include optical microscope examination and scanning electron microscopy for unreacted explosive, chemical spot tests, thin-layer chromatography, X-ray crystallography, and the like.Small particles of C-4 can be easily identified by mixing with a few drops of sulfuric acid.Adding a small amount of ethyl alcohol will make the mixture rose colored.[25]
The components commonly found in C-4 are isotropic, and this makes it possible for forensic science teams to detect trace residuals on fingertips of individuals who may have recently been in contact with the compound.Positive results are variable and the mass of RDX can range between 1.7 and 130 ng, each analysis must be individually handled using magnifying equipment.Gray-scale thresholding is used to improve contrast for the particles in the light images.In order to show the dark particles, the contrast is inverted.The relative numbers and positions of RDX particles have been measured from a series of 50 fingerprints.[28]