Editing Plastic explosive

{{short description|Type of explosive material}}
{{redirect|Plastique}}
[[File:Preparation of the demolition with explosive charges and wire (22731570152).jpg|thumb|Disposal of munitions with plastic explosives; note the malleability of the white plastic explosive charges]]
'''Plastic explosive''' is a soft and hand-moldable solid form of [[explosive material]]. Within the field of [[explosives engineering]], plastic explosives are also known as '''putty explosives'''<ref name="Cooper">
{{cite book
|last=Cooper
|first=Paul W.
|title=Explosives Engineering
|year=1996
|publisher=Wiley-VCH
|pages=51–66
|chapter=Chapter 4: Use forms of explosives
|isbn=0-471-18636-8}}
</ref>  or '''blastics'''.

Plastic explosives are especially suited for explosive [[demolition]]. Common plastic explosives include [[Semtex]] and [[C-4 (explosive)|C-4]]. The first manufactured plastic explosive was [[gelignite]] in 1875, invented by [[Alfred Nobel]].

==Usage==
[[Image:C4 plastic explosive.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A C-4 charge packed onto a marine anchor chain]]

Plastic explosives are especially suited for explosive demolition of obstacles and [[fortification]]s by [[combat engineer]]s as they can be easily formed into ideal shapes for cutting structural members and have a high enough [[velocity of detonation]] and density for metal cutting work.

An early use of plastic explosives was in the warhead of the [[Mortar (weapon)#Spigot mortar|Petard demolition mortar]] of the British [[Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers]] (AVRE) which was used to destroy concrete fortifications encountered during [[Operation Overlord]] (D-Day). The original use of [[Nobel 808]] supplied by the SOE was for sabotage of German installations and railways in [[German-occupied Europe|Occupied Europe]].{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

They are generally not used for ordinary [[Rock blasting|blasting]] as they tend to be significantly more expensive than other materials that perform just as well. A common commercial use of plastic explosives is for [[shock hardening]] high [[manganese]] percentage steel, a material typically used for train rail components and earth digging implements.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070525120609/http://www.pacaero.com/products/explosive-hardening.htm ''Explosive Hardening''], PA&E, Inc.</ref>

[[Reactive armor]] in tanks uses plastic explosives sandwiched between two plates of steel. Incoming high explosive shaped charge anti-tank rounds pierce the outer steel plate, then detonate the plastic explosive. This disrupts the energy from the incoming round and shields the tank.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Soldiers Handbook, Volume 1: Explosives Operations |last1=Ledgard |first1=Jared |date=2007 |chapter=Introduction to Explosives}}</ref>{{rp|9}}

==History==
[[File:This image shows the pile of UXO and a box of the PE4 explosive, which was used to detonate the deadly munitions. MOD 45146241.jpg|thumb|right|PE4 sticks, used alongside the L3A1 slab version by the British armed forces prior to the adoption of the later L20A1 block/L21A1 slab PE7 and L22A1 slab PE8 explosives]]
The first plastic explosive was [[gelignite]], invented by [[Alfred Nobel]] in 1875.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/03/how-to/how-to-handle-gelignite|title=How to handle gelignite|last=Braddock|first=Kevin|date=3 February 2011|magazine=Wired Magazine|access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref> Prior to [[World War I]], the British explosives chemist [[Oswald Silberrad]] obtained British and U.S. patents for a series of plastic explosives called "Nitrols", composed of nitrated [[aromaticity|aromatics]], [[collodion]], and oxidising inorganic salts. The language of the patents indicate that at this time, Silberrad saw no need to explain to "those versed in the art" either what he meant by plasticity or why it may be advantageous, as he only explains why his plastic explosive is superior to others of that type.<ref>Silberrad, Oswald. (1914). ''Explosive'' (United States patent #1092758). United States Patent and Trademark Office. https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/1092758</ref>

One of the simplest plastic explosives was Nobel's Explosive No. 808, of the gelignite type, also known as ''Nobel 808'' (often just called ''Explosive 808'' in the [[British Armed Forces]] during the [[Second World War]]), developed by the British company [[Nobel Chemicals Ltd]] well before World War II. It had the appearance of green [[plasticine]] with a distinctive smell of almonds. During World War II it was extensively used by the British [[Special Operations Executive]] (SOE) at [[Aston House]] for sabotage missions.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Station 12: Aston House - SOE's Secret Centre|last=Turner|first=Des|publisher=The History Press Ltd|year=2006|isbn=0750942770}}</ref> It is also the explosive used in [[High explosive squash head|HESH]] [[anti-tank]] shells and was an essential factor in the devising of the [[Gammon bomb|Gammon grenade]]. Captured SOE-supplied Nobel 808 was the explosive used in the failed [[20 July plot]] assassination attempt on [[Adolf Hitler]] in 1944.<ref>{{Cite web |title=sep 1, 1939 - Nobel Chemicals LTD produces the plastic explosive, Nobel 808, for use in World War 2 (Timeline) |url=https://time.graphics/event/5234174 |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=time.graphics}}</ref>

During and after World War II a number of new [[RDX]]-based explosives were developed, including [[Composition C|Compositions C, C2, and eventually C3]]. Together with RDX, these incorporate various plasticizers to decrease sensitivity and make the composition plastic. The origin of the obsolete term "'''plastique'''" dates back to the Nobel 808 explosive introduced to the U.S. by the British in 1940. The samples of explosive brought to the U.S. by the [[Tizard Mission]] had already been packaged by the SOE ready for dropping via parachute container to the [[French Resistance]] and were therefore labeled in French, as ''Explosif Plastique''. It is still referred to by this name in France and also by some Americans.

==Types==
===Composition C===
{{main article|Composition C|Composition C4}}
The British used a plastic explosive during World War II as a demolition charge. The specific explosive, Composition C, was 88.3% RDX and 11.7% non-oily, non-explosive plasticizer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maritime.org/doc/ordnance/index.htm |title=U.S. Explosive Ordnance, OP1664 |date=28 May 1947 |page=5 |publisher=San Francisco National Maritime Park Association |website=maritime.org |author=Department of the Navy, Bureau of Ordnance |access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> The material was plastic between {{cvt|0|and(-)|40|C}}, but was brittle at colder temperatures and gummy at higher temperatures. Composition C was superseded by Composition C2, which used a mixture of 80% RDX and 20% plasticizer. Composition C2 had a wider temperature range at which it remained plastic, from {{cvt|−30|to|52|C}}. Composition C2 was replaced by Composition C3, which was a mixture of 77% RDX and 23% explosive plasticizer.<ref name="milex">{{cite book|title=Military Explosives|year=1989|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ODYYAAAAYAAJ&q=plastic&pg=SA8-PA109}}</ref>{{rp|8–109}} C3 was effective but proved to be too brittle in cold weather and was replaced with C4. There are three classes of C4, with varying amounts of RDX and [[polyisobutylene]].<ref name="milex" />{{rp|8–111}}

===Semtex===
{{main article|Semtex}}

<gallery widths="200px" heights="140px">
File:C4 explosive.jpg|A {{cvt|1.25|lb|g|adj=on}} demolition charge of C4 explosive
File:USMC-100609-M-0761B-014.jpg|A Marine shapes a charge of C4 to cut through solid steel at a demolitions range
File:Semtex H 1.jpg|Two blocks of [[Semtex]]-1H (note the characteristic orange color) and an American M112 charge containing [[C-4 (explosive)|C4]]
</gallery>

==List of plastic explosives==
* [[Australia]]: PE4,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thalesgroup.com/assets/0/95/389/392/e93b97ee-e77e-43fa-8f7c-07d4061bc14d.pdf?LangType=2057 |title=HIGH EXPLOSIVE PRODUCTS > Energetic materials for operational effectiveness |website=www.thalesgroup.com |access-date=11 January 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716214813/http://www.thalesgroup.com/assets/0/95/389/392/e93b97ee-e77e-43fa-8f7c-07d4061bc14d.pdf?LangType=2057 |archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Explosives for Explosives |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4257763/explosives-explosives |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=DVIDS |language=en}}</ref> PE4-MC<ref>{{Cite web |title=HIGH EXPLOSIVE PRODUCTS |url=http://www.australian-munitions.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/High-Explosive-Products.pdf |access-date=26 October 2022 |website=Australian Munitions}}</ref>
* [[Austria]]: KNAUERIT SPEZIAL
* [[Czech Republic]]: [[Semtex]]-1H (orange-colored), Semtex 1A (red-colored), Semtex 10 (also called Pl Np 10; black-colored), Pl Hx 30 (gray-colored)
* [[Finland]]: PENO
* [[France]]: Hexomax,<ref name="hexomax1">{{cite web |title=Explosive Blocks |url=http://www.eurenco.com/content/explosives/demolition-breaching/new-generation/explosive-blocks/ |publisher=Eurenco |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823030942/http://www.eurenco.com/content/explosives/demolition-breaching/new-generation/explosive-blocks/ |archive-date=23 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="hexomax2">{{Cite web |last=Mahe |first=Bernard |date=17 May 2012 |title=A NEW FAMILY OF MALLEABLE PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE BLOCKS |url=https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2012/IMEM/13846mahe7B.pdf |access-date=26 October 2022 |website=ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net}}</ref> Composition C-4<ref>{{Cite web |title=AUCUN RÉSULTAT |url=http://www.eurenco.com/content/explosives/demolition-breaching/conventional/explosive-blocks/c4/ |url-status=dead |access-date=26 October 2022 |website=EURENCO |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126012746/http://www.eurenco.com/content/explosives/demolition-breaching/conventional/explosive-blocks/c4/ }}</ref> PLASTRITE (FORMEX P1, Pla Np 87)
* [[Germany]]: Sprengkörper DM12, P8301, Seismoplast 1 (Sprengmasse, formbar)
* [[Netherlands]]: Knaverit S1 (light orange-colored)
* [[Greece]]: C3, C4
* [[India]]: PEK-1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/ammunition/ex/2.htm |title=Ordnance Factory Board |website=ofbindia.gov.in |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311061756/http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/ammunition/ex/2.htm |archive-date=11 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Israel]]: Semtex
* [[Italy]]: [[RDX|T-4]] Plastico
* [[Norway]]: NM91 ([[HMX]]), C4, DPX10 (PE8)
* [[Pakistan]]: PE-3A<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan Ordnance Factories |url=https://pof.gov.pk/productDetail/55 |publisher=[[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]] |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>
* [[Poland]]: PMW, NITROLIT
* [[Russia]]: PVV-5A Plastic Explosive
* [[Slovakia]]: CHEMEX (Composition C-4 equivalent), TVAREX 4A, Pl Hx 30
* [[South Africa]]: PE9 (Composition C-4 equivalent)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/rdm-receives-follow-on-order-for-plastic-explosives/|title=RDM receives follow-on order for plastic explosives|date=18 May 2020}}</ref>
* [[Spain]]: PG2, PG4, GOMA 0, GOMA 1, GOMA 2
* [[Sweden]]: Sprängdeg m/46, NSP711 ([[PETN]]-based), NSH711 (cyclonite-based)
* [[Switzerland]]: PLASTEX produced by SSE<ref>{{cite web |url=http://explosif.ch/en/companyprofile.htm |title=100 Years of Production and Development - From Explosives to Pharmaceutical Ingredients |website=explosif.ch |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114163245/http://explosif.ch/en/companyprofile.htm |archive-date=14 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Turkey]]: Composition C-4<ref>{{cite web |title=ÜRÜN DETAY |url=https://urunler.mke.gov.tr/Urunler/Tahrip-Kal%C4%B1plar%C4%B1/38/329 |website=mke.gov.tr |publisher=[[Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation|MKE A.Ş]] |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MKE Products Catalog |url=https://mke.gov.tr/Dosyalar/Ek_Dosyalar/ingilizce.pdf#page=120 |website=mke.gov.tr |publisher=[[Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation|MKE A.Ş]] |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>
* [[United Kingdom]]
** [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MOD (Ministry of Defence)]] explosives: PE2 (sheet explosive, superseded by SX2),<ref name="defstan1331p14">{{Cite FTP |author = Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|author-link = Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)  |title = Defence Standard 13–31 Demolition Stores and Equipment 1973 (Amended 1974) |year= 1974 |url= ftp://ftp.iks-jena.de/mitarb/lutz/standards/dstan/13/031/00000200.pdf#page=14 |server = FTP server|url-status = dead|access-date= 12 June 2020}}</ref> PE3A (superseded by PE4),<ref name="pe4">{{cite book|author=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|author-link=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|title = Army Code No. 71271 (Pam 4), Military Engineering Volume II, Pamphlet No. 4 Demolitions|year= 1980}}</ref> PE4 (pure to off-white slab, block, or stick, superseded by PE7 and PE8 in MOD usage),<ref name="defstan1331p4">{{Cite FTP |author = Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) |title = Defence Standard 13–31 Demolition Stores and Equipment 1973 (Amended 1974)|year= 1974 |url= ftp://ftp.iks-jena.de/mitarb/lutz/standards/dstan/13/031/00000200.pdf#page=4 |access-date= 12 June 2020|server = FTP server |url-status = dead |author-link = Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) }}</ref><ref name="pe4" /><ref name="JSP403Vol5">{{cite web |author = Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) |title = Joint Service Publication 403 Handbook of Defence Land Ranges Safety, Volume 5, Chapter 3|year= 2006 |url= https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/429344/JSP403_Vol5_Chap3v1_1.pdf#page=11 |access-date= 12 June 2020|author-link = Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author = Mondial Defence Systems |url=http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/Plastic%20Explosive%20PE4.pdf |title=Plastic Explosive No.4 (PE4) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319013833/http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/Plastic%20Explosive%20PE4.pdf |archive-date=2014-03-19 |access-date= 12 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author = Mondial Defence Systems |url=http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/L3A1_Slab_Charge.pdf |title=L3A1 Slab Charge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928153932/http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/L3A1_Slab_Charge.pdf |archive-date=2010-09-28 |access-date= 12 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Primetake |title=Charge Demolition PE 4oz (125g) |url=https://primetake.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/03/9501.pdf |access-date=30 November 2021 |date=2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Primetake |title=Charge Demolition PE 8oz (250g) |url=https://primetake.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/03/3520.pdf |access-date=30 November 2021 |date=2012}}</ref><ref name="hexomax1" /> SX2 (sheet explosive, superseded by SX4),<ref name="defstan1331p4" /><ref name="JSP403Vol5" /><ref>{{Cite web |author = Chemring Defence |author-link = Chemring Group |url=http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/HighExplosive/SheetExplosiveSX2/ |access-date= 12 June 2020 |title=Sheet Explosive SX2 [Circa 2010] |year= 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031163334/http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/HighExplosive/SheetExplosiveSX2/ |archive-date=2010-10-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author = Chemring Defence |author-link = Chemring Group |url=http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/SheetExplosiveSX2/ |title=Sheet Explosive SX2 [Circa 2014] |year= 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003165938/http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/SheetExplosiveSX2/ |archive-date=2014-10-03 |access-date= 12 June 2020 }}</ref> PE7 (pure to off-white slab or block, Hexomax variant),<ref name="hexomax1" /><ref name="hexomax2" /> PE8 (pure to off-white slab or block, current in-service slab charge),<ref>{{cite web |author = Chemring Energetics UK |title = CEUK Demolition Stores Capability Brochure |year= 2018 |url= https://www.chemring.co.uk/~/media/Files/C/Chemring-V3/publications/CEUK%20Brochures/CEUK_Capabilities_A5_24pp_Iss2%20Feb%202018.pdf#page=13 |access-date= 20 January 2020|author-link = Chemring Group }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author = Chemring Energetics UK |title = PE8 Plastic Explosive |year= 2016 |url= https://www.chemring.co.uk/~/media/Files/C/Chemring-V3/documents/energetics/pe8-plas.pdf |access-date= 12 June 2020|author-link = Chemring Group }}</ref><ref name="dinjan2015">{{cite web |author=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) |author-link=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) |title=DIN Digest January 2015 |year=2015 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/404658/DIN_Digest_January_2015.pdf#page=7 |access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> SX4 (sheet explosive),<ref name="sx4">{{cite web |author=Chemring Energetics UK |title=Charge Demolition Sheet Explosive SX4 |year=2016 |url=https://www.chemring.co.uk/~/media/Files/C/Chemring-V3/documents/energetics/sx4-feb-16.pdf |access-date=12 June 2020|author-link=Chemring Group }}</ref> DPX (DPX1 used in L26A1 Bangalore Torpedo Demolition Charge, DPX9 used in SABREX and as a key component of SX4)<ref>{{cite web |author=Chemring Energetics UK |author-link=Chemring Group |title=Advanced Performance Bangalore Torpedo (2011 brochure) |year=2011 |url=https://www.militarysystems-tech.com/files/militarysystems/supplier_docs/CEUK-AP-Bangalore-Torpedo.pdf |access-date=14 June 2020 |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614192743/https://www.militarysystems-tech.com/files/militarysystems/supplier_docs/CEUK-AP-Bangalore-Torpedo.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Chemring Energetics UK |title=AP Bangalore Torpedo (2016 brochure)|year=2016 |url=https://www.chemring.co.uk/~/media/Files/C/Chemring-V3/documents/energetics/bangalore-torpedo-apbt-.pdf |access-date=14 June 2020|author-link=Chemring Group}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Chemring Energetics UK |title=SABREX |year=2016 |url=https://www.chemring.co.uk/~/media/Files/C/Chemring-V3/documents/energetics/sabrex.pdf |access-date= 14 June 2020|author-link=Chemring Group}}</ref><ref name="sx4" />
** Non-MOD explosives: Composition C-4 (M5A1 and M112 charges produced by Mondial Defence Systems),<ref>{{Cite web |author = Mondial Defence Systems |url=http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/Plastic%20Explosive%20C4.pdf |title=C4 (Composition 4), Charge Demolition |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123210024/http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/Plastic%20Explosive%20C4.pdf |archive-date=2014-01-23 |access-date= 12 June 2020 }}</ref> Semtex (Several variants including Razor produced by Mondial Defence Systems, PW4 variant produced by [[Chemring Group|Chemring]])<ref>{{Cite web |author = Mondial Defence Systems |url=http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/SEMTEX.pdf |title=Semtex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002550/http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/SEMTEX.pdf |archive-date=2013-10-05 |access-date= 12 June 2020 }}</ref>)<ref>{{Cite web |author = Mondial Defence Systems |url=http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/RAZOR%20-%20Flexible%20Linear%20Shaped%20Charge.pdf |title=Semtex RAZOR |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325180540/http://www.mondial-defence.com/images/PDF_Data_Sheets/RAZOR%20-%20Flexible%20Linear%20Shaped%20Charge.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-25 |access-date= 14 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author = Chemring Defence |author-link = Chemring Group |url=http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/HighExplosive/PW4MouldablePlasti/ |title=PW4 Mouldable Plastic Explosive Type [Circa 2010] |year= 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101093639/http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/HighExplosive/PW4MouldablePlasti/ |archive-date=2010-11-01 |access-date= 12 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author = Chemring Defence |author-link = Chemring Group |url=http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/PW4MouldablePlasti/ |title=PW4 Mouldable Plastic Explosive Type [Circa 2014] |year= 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003165933/http://www.chemringdefence.com/Products/HighExplosive/PW4MouldablePlasti/ |archive-date=2014-10-03 |access-date= 12 June 2020 }}</ref>
* [[United States]]: Composition C-4 (pure white block or sheet, current in-service charges designated as M112 and M118),<ref>{{Cite web |title=M112 Composition C4 Block Demolition Charge |url=https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/m112-c4.htm |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=man.fas.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=M118 Composition C4 Block Demolition Charge |url=https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/m118-c4.htm |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=man.fas.org}}</ref> PETN and RDX based Sheet Explosive (Primasheet, Durasheet), DURABLOCK Advanced Demolition Explosive(ADX) Produced by Donovan Commercial Industries
* [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]]/[[Serbia]]: PP–01 (Composition C-4 equivalent)

==See also==
* [[Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wiktionary inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}

[[Category:British inventions]]
[[Category:Explosives]]