C-4 (explosive)
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Eod2.jpg C-4 or Composition C-4 is a common variety of military plastic explosive.
C-4 is made up of explosive, plastic binder, plasticizer and, nowadays, marker or taggant chemicals such as 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMDNB) to help detect the explosive and identify its source. As with many plastic explosives, the explosive material in C-4 is RDX (also known as cyclonite or cyclotrimethylene trinitramine) which makes up around 91% of the C-4 by weight. The plasticizer is di(2-ethylhexyl) or dioctyl sebacate (5.3%), and the binder is polyisobutylene (2.1%). Another binder used is dioctyl adipate (DOA). A small amount of SAE 10 non detergent motor oil (1.6%) is also added.
C-4 is made by combining RDX slurry with binder dissolved in a solvent. The solvent is then distilled away and the mixture is dried and filtered. The final material is an off-white solid with the feel of soft clay.
The explosive is a 1960s improvement on a World War II material which contained RDX, mineral oil, and lecithin and resembled plastic explosive. C-4 is part of a group of explosives along with C, C2 and C3, each containing different amounts of RDX.
The C is sometimes said to stand for composition and the name is an abbreviation of Composition 4. However, the term composition is used for any stable explosive, and "Composition A" and "Composition B" are other known variants. Therefore, C-4 is correctly referred to as Composition C-4.
C-4 is widely renowned for being malleable. It can be molded into gaps in buildings and under bridges, or into any desired shape. C-4 is also well known for its durability and reliability. It will not explode even if shot, punched, cut, or thrown into a fire. The only reliable method for detonation is a detonator or blasting cap. However, applying pressure in combination with heat can often cause detonation.
When the military or a demolition company uses C-4 they normally use 8 - 10 pounds of C-4 to demolish eight inch square steel beams, even though this is more explosive than is required. They do this to make sure that they have accomplished the job successfully.
Trivia
- C-4 was used in the finals of the 1995 "King of the Death match" professional wrestling tournament held in Japan. Death match winner Mick Foley received second degree burns from this explosion.
- During the Vietnam War era, many soldiers would use small amounts of C-4 as means of heating rations while on long patrols by setting it on fire. While many soldiers were able to use C-4 in this manner safely, there are several anecdotes about soldiers attempting to put out the fire by stomping on it and causing it to detonate.
- C-4 was the explosive used by Bill Murray's character Carl in the comedy movie Caddyshack. He formed the explosive in the shapes of various animals in the attempt to kill a gopher tunneling around the Bushwood Country Club.
- C-4 is also depicted in several other movies, as well as TV series and computer games.
External links
es:C-4 (explosivo) fr:C-4 he:C4 nl:C-4 (explosief) no:C-4 pl:C4 ru:C-4 (взрывчатое вещество) fi:C-4 sv:C-4