Editing C-4 (explosive) (section)

{{short description|Variety of plastic explosive}}{{Infobox weapon
| name               = C-4
| image              = Exploding pumpkins 131106-F-YU668-233.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = Blocks of C-4 cut to size during a demo training session, showing the white plastic explosive material
| origin             = United States
| type               = High-yield chemical explosive
| is_explosive       = yes
| is_UK              = <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 
| used_by            = [[United States]]
| wars               = [[Vietnam War]] <br /> [[War on Terror]] <br />
[[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = 
| design_date        = 1956
| manufacturer       = 
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1956–current
| number             = 
| variants           = PE-4, M112
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label         = M112
| weight             = {{convert|1.25|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="global" />
| length             = {{convert|11|in|cm|abbr=on}}<ref name="global" />
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{convert|2|in|cm|abbr=on}}<ref name="global" />
| height             = {{convert|1.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}<ref name="global" />
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 
| passengers         = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
| filling            = [[RDX]]
| filling_weight     = 91%
| detonation         = [[Pentaerythritol tetranitrate|PETN]]-based [[detonating cord]]
| velocity           = 4400&nbsp;m/s @ 0.9&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup>, 6600 m/s @ 1.5&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup>, 6900&nbsp;m/s @ 1.6&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup><ref>{{Cite book |title=Composition C-4 |publisher=Paul Lezica }}</ref>
| yield              = High
}}

'''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 similar British plastic explosive, also based on [[RDX]] but with a plasticizer different from that used in Composition C-4, is known as '''PE-4''' (Plastic Explosive No. 4).