C4 explosion. What is C4 explosive? Physical and chemical characteristics

C-4 (Composition C-4) is a variety of plastic military explosives common in the United States. In Russian, the name is usually used in the forms si-four and si-for.

The main feature of which is plasticity. Although, the term “plastic explosives” (PVV) is most suitable for their name. AT English language this type of explosive is called plastic explosives, translating this phrase as "plastic explosive" is simply illiterate.

Most often, plastite contains hexogen and some organic plasticizer (polyurethane, mineral oil, butyl rubber, viton, etc.). But there are other varieties of this explosive, the main explosive component of which is HMX or pentaerythritoltetranitrate.

It is probably difficult to name another type of explosive, so "promoted" in the means mass media how plastic. As soon as journalists do not call this type of explosive: “plastid”, “plastic explosive”, “plastic explosive”. However, it's not even the name. There are not so many myths and frank tales about any of the explosives as about plastic. It is endowed with incredible, simply monstrous power: "... plastic explosive, which is 5 (10, 15) times more powerful than TNT", "... 20 grams of plastid blows a truck to pieces."

A significant role in the origin and development of this myth was played by Hollywood films, in which it is regularly shown how a piece of plastite the size of Matchbox smashes a small house to pieces. The main advantage of plastic explosives is not their power, but their ease of use.

In fact, plastite refers to high explosives of medium or normal power, which is quite comparable to TNT.

Plastite has an established reputation as a "sabotage" explosive, but this is not entirely true. Much more often, its engineering (sapper) units are used, and plastic is also used to equip certain types of ammunition. In addition, this explosive is also used for peaceful purposes: for stamping, explosion welding.

Physical and chemical characteristics

Plast in normal state of aggregation is a plastic clay-like substance that feels like plasticine with sand to the touch. Although, there are a large number of plastic explosives, and they differ from each other in color and consistency. The Soviet plastic explosive PVV-4 resembles dense dark brown clay. Other types of plastic explosives are similar to a paste, depending on the type and amount of plasticizer that is used in the manufacture of the explosive.

The density of plastite is 1.44 g / cm 3, at a temperature of -20 degrees it freezes, and at +30 degrees it loses its permanent shape. At 210 degrees plastite lights up.

Plastite is practically insensitive to mechanical influences, it can be beaten, you can shoot at it - this will not cause detonation. Similarly, PVV react to fire, spark or chemical attack. To undermine the plastite, a detonator cap is required, immersed in explosives to a depth of at least 1 cm.

The detonation velocity of the explosives is 7 thousand m/s, the brisance of this explosive is 21 mm, the explosiveness is 280 cm 3, and the energy of the explosive transformation of plastite is 910 kcal/kg.

Plastic explosives do not react with metals, they do not dissolve in water, do not lose their properties during prolonged heating. Plastite burns well, intense combustion in a confined space can lead to detonation.

If we talk about the Soviet plastic explosive PVV-4, then it is packaged in briquettes weighing 1 kg. There are varieties of PVV, which are packed in tubes or made in the form of tapes. These explosives are more elastic, they resemble rubber or rubber. There are PVV, which include adhesive additives. They are easy to attach to various surfaces.

History of plastic explosives

The nineteenth century was a real "finest hour" for chemists who were developing new types of explosives. In 1867, Alfred Nobel patented dynamite, which can be said to be the first plastic explosive.

The first type of dynamite was made by mixing nitroglycerin with kieselguhr (silicon earth). The explosive turned out to be quite powerful, had an acceptable level of safety (compared to nitroglycerin), and had the consistency of dough.

In the late 19th century, the French developed sheddit, a plastic explosive that could be used to load ammunition. This explosive was actively used during the First World War.

During World War II, a plastic explosive, hexoplast, was developed in Germany, which consisted of a mixture of hexogen (75%), dinitrotoluene, TNT and nitrocellulose. Later, the Americans "borrowed" this composition and began its mass production under the name C-2.

In the UK, the first plastic explosive appeared before the start of WWI, it was called PE-1 and was used for blasting. PE-1 consisted of 88% RDX and 12% petroleum oil. Later, this composition was improved, the emulsifier lecithin was added to it. Under the name RE-2, this explosive was actively used by the British during the Second World War. Moreover, it was in service with special units of Great Britain, which is probably why plastic explosives became a mandatory attribute of a saboteur in the public mind.

In the 50s, the British created another type of PVV - PE-4. Moreover, this development turned out so well that it is in service with the British army today. It consists of: 88% RDX, 11% special grease DG-29 and an emulsifier. This explosive turned out to be very successful - inexpensive, reliable and quite powerful. PE-4 is used for blasting, as well as for equipping some types of ammunition.

The United States began producing plastic explosives during World War II. The first American explosive was the C-1 explosive, similar in composition to the English RE-2. A little later, it was slightly modified to C-2, and then C-3. All these explosives used hexogen as an explosive component, only plasticizers differed.

In 1967, the C-4 plastic explosive was patented, which later became almost synonymous with PIE. C-4 was very successfully used in Vietnam, at present there are several classes of this explosive, they differ from each other in the amount of RDX.

Several funny stories are connected with the use of the C-4 in Vietnam. At first, the use of this explosive led to frequent cases of severe poisoning among American soldiers. The fact is that they tried to use pieces of C-4 instead of the chewing gum familiar to Americans. Hexogen, which is part of C-4, is strong poison He caused poisoning. After that, a clause was added to the instructions for C-4 that chewing plastite is prohibited.

The second group of accidents involved attempts by military personnel to use C-4 as cooking fuel. Plastite did not explode, but RDX vapors, having got into food along with smoke, also led to poisoning. After that, another item appeared in the instructions for explosives: "It is forbidden to use for cooking."

It should be noted that today the American army is armed with a large number of varieties of plastic explosives. They differ both in the explosive component and in the plasticizers.

In the 1950s, plastic explosives began to be used for stamping, welding, and repair of equipment (for example, blast furnaces).

The first Soviet plastic explosive, which began to be mass-produced, was PVV-4. This plastite is composed of 80% RDX, 15% lubricating oil and 5% calcium stearate. She appeared around the end of the 40s, but practically did not enter the troops.

In the 60s, another type of plastic explosive was created in the USSR - PVV-5A, which was a complete analogue of the American C-4. This explosive was used to equip MON mines and dynamic armor for tanks.

In the same period, plastic explosives PVV-7 were created for demining systems with increased level explosiveness.

For a long time, plastic explosives were considered secret in the USSR, so they almost never entered combat units. The situation changed only with the outbreak of the war in Afghanistan.

Usage

What is plastic explosive for, if in its power it is inferior (or equal) to TNT and RDX, and in cost it significantly exceeds them?

The fact is that the brisance (crushing effect) of small explosive charges decreases rapidly with distance from the point of detonation. Roughly speaking, if ten grams of explosives explode in your clenched fist, then you are guaranteed to lose your fingers. If a similar amount of explosives detonates within twenty centimeters of your hand, then the damage will be minimal. The conclusion from this is simple: to cause maximum damage to the object, the explosives must be as close as possible to it.

In this regard, the PIE is ideal, a charge of plastic explosives can be placed not just close to the object being destroyed, but stick to it. A metal beam or channel can be stuck around the PVV from all sides and this will not be hindered by protrusions, bolts or rivets.

Yes, and fixing plastic explosives is much easier and faster than, for example, TNT checkers.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

Military purpose. In Russian, the name is usually used in the forms si-four and sea-for.

Additional Information

• During the Vietnam War, many American soldiers used small amounts of C-4 to warm up rations on long raids. Although the soldiers used this method quite safely, there were several stories of soldiers trying to put out the C-4 by trampling the flames and causing an explosion (burning an explosive in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space leads to an increase in pressure, accelerates combustion and leads to an explosion with a much greater more likely than burning in an open space, but the MythBusters (episode 17 of season 9) failed to blow up C-4 with either blows or thermite).

• The C-4 was used in the 1995 King of the Death match professional wrestling tournament finals in Japan. Tournament winner Mick Foley suffered 2nd degree burns.

• Since the 1990s, the composition C-4 (and other plastic explosives) in Russian has often been called plastid or plastid C-4. This name is especially often used to hide the correct information about the composition and characteristics of explosive devices used for illegal actions (in terrorist attacks). The term "Plastids" is used in biology to refer to cell elements.

• C-4 is initially odorless. But so that dogs can detect it, special chemical markers are used. In most cases, C-4 smells like almonds.

C-4 in popular culture

• The clear use and action of the C-4 can be seen in almost any of the episodes of the Stargate series (where one of the characters even called the squad's backup "Plan B" "Plan C"), however, as in many other Hollywood action films.
• In games on military and near-military subjects: Point Blank, CrossFire, grand theft Auto series, Battlefield, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, etc., often in the form of bars with remote detonators.
• Russian rock band Lumen has a song "C-4"

Links

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .

See what "C-4 (explosive)" is in other dictionaries:

Explosive- (English explosive substance) the object of study of forensic explosives, a substance that is used to produce an explosion. V.v. in the physical sense is any substance that is capable of exploding. V.v., which are intended for ... ... Encyclopedia of Law

A substance that is used to explode in an industrial or military field with the aim of destroying or shaking an object ... Law Dictionary

EXPLOSIVE- a liquid or solid substance that is used for blasting in industrial and military fields. V.v. in the physical sense is general concept; it refers to all substances that can explode. Explosion is understood as the desired ... ... Legal Encyclopedia

Exist., number of synonyms: 2 explosives (232) gunpowder (16) ASIS synonym dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

explosive- A chemical compound or mixture of substances capable, under certain conditions, of an extremely rapid self-propagating chemical transformation with the release of heat and the formation a large number gaseous products. [GOST R 22.0.08 96]… …

sheathed explosive- — Topics oil and gas industry EN sheathed explosive … Technical Translator's Handbook

explosive for work at sea- — Topics oil and gas industry EN offshore explosive … Technical Translator's Handbook

seismic explosive- — Topics oil and gas industry EN shothole explosive … Technical Translator's Handbook

explosive of the main charge- - Topics oil and gas industry EN main explosive ... Technical Translator's Handbook

explosive with a high rate of detonation- — Topics oil and gas industry EN high detonation rate explosive … Technical Translator's Handbook

explosive with a low rate of detonation- — Topics oil and gas industry EN low detonation rate explosivelow velocity explosive … Technical Translator's Handbook

Books

• Deadly substance, Tamonikov A.A. , Russian scientists have invented the most powerful explosive of a new generation - tromonol. Explosives are sent to a test site, but at one of the stations a special car with tromonol ... Category: Domestic Series: tamonikov. Elba project Publisher:

C-4 in the US, a variety of plastic explosives for military use. In Russian, the name is usually used in the forms “ si-four” and " seafor”.

This compound was developed in the 1960s as an improvement on the World War II compound of RDX, mineral oil and lecithin, similar to plastic explosives. C-4 is included in the group with the designation C, which also includes compositions C2 and C3 containing different amounts of RDX.

It is sometimes stated that the designation "C" stands for composition, and the composition name is an abbreviation of composition 4. However, this is not true, the term composition was used for any stable explosive composition, and there were explosives named "Composition A" and "Composition B". So the correct name for C-4 is Composition C-4 (Composition C-4).

Compound

C-4 includes:

• hexogen (91%)
• polymer binder - polyisobutylene (2.1%)
• plasticizer - di-(2-ethylhexyl)-sebacate or dioctyl sebacate (5.3%)
• engine oil specification SAE 10 (1.6%)

In addition, a chemical label (such as 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane) is currently added to the composition to identify the type of explosive and its origin. C-4 is 91% RDX, 2.25% Vistanex, 5.31% dioctyl sebacate and 1.44% liquid lubricant.

Properties

Compound C-4 widely known for its plasticity. It can fill gaps in buildings and structures and take any desired shape. Besides, C-4 known for its reliability and stability. For example, igniting C-4 leads to slow combustion of explosives (approximately the same as when burning wood). Impact sensitivity - 48 cm (TNT 90-100 cm) for a load of 2 kg. Nevertheless, the experience of the MythBusters showed that even a 41 kg load falling onto a C4 charge from a distance of 91 cm and a direct hit by rifle bullets from a reasonable close range do not cause an explosion. A reliable way to cause an explosion is to use an electric detonator or blasting cap.

When the reaction starts C-4 decomposes, releasing various gases (mainly oxides of carbon and nitrogen). The initial expansion rate of the gases is 8500 meters per second. To an outside observer, the explosion occurs almost instantly.

In fact, the explosion has two phases. The initial expansion causes most of the destruction. It also creates an area low pressure near the center - the gases move so fast that there is almost no gas left near the center. In the second phase, the gases move back into the region of partial vacuum, creating a second wave directed inward.

A pair of standard army blocks C-4 (M112), weighing half a kilogram each, is enough to blow up a truck. Explosives usually use more C-4. For example, to destroy a steel beam 20 centimeters thick, they use about 3.5–4.5 kilograms C-4.

Application

The C-4 is used for a variety of destructive tasks. Explosives are mainly used by the military to blow up structures - explosives fill cracks to blow up heavy walls. The C-4 is also widely used as a weapon to kill personnel in combat or a terrorist act. For example, during the Vietnam War, soldiers used the M18A1 Claymore mine. This mine consists of a C-4 block and striking elements in the form of steel balls and rollers.

Due to its stability and superior lethality, the C-4 is used by terrorists and guerrillas around the world. Small amounts of C-4 can cause great damage, and C-4 is odorless and easy to smuggle. Although the main producer of C-4 is the United States, where the trade is strictly controlled, there are many sources of similar C-4 explosives (for example, Iran). So, given the relative availability, at present, the C-4 remains one of the main weapons of terrorists.

Additional Information:

• During the Vietnam War, many American soldiers used small amounts of C-4 to warm up rations on long raids. Although the soldiers used this method quite safely, there were several stories of soldiers trying to put out the C-4 by trampling the flames and causing an explosion (burning an explosive in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space leads to an increase in pressure, accelerates combustion and leads to an explosion with a much greater more likely than burning in open space, but the MythBusters (episode 175 of season 9) failed to blow up C-4 with either blows or thermite).

• The C-4 was used in the 1995 King of the Death match professional wrestling tournament finals in Japan. Tournament winner Mick Foley suffered 2nd degree burns.

• Since the 1990s, the composition C-4 (and other plastic explosives) in Russian has often been called plastid or plastid C-4. This name is especially often used to hide the correct information about the composition and characteristics of explosive devices used for illegal actions (in terrorist attacks). The term "Plastids" is used in biology to refer to the elements of a cell.

• C-4 is initially odorless. But so that dogs can detect it, special chemical markers are used. In most cases, C-4 smells like almonds.

Finally 4 game "Blow it up" (Bomb it 4) in Russian and in full screen! Its popularity is not just in the possibility of playing for two: "Blow it up" - for girls it is just as interesting as for guys! This toy perfectly adapts to the level of the player, you can play according to your personal settings!

How to play Blow It Up 4

Task: correctly place bombs in order to get useful items from the labyrinth wall, trap opponents and not blow yourself up. The instruction in Russian will simplify the selection of the desired settings and help you quickly understand everything.

First you need to set the number of players: in the game mode for 1 player, move the bomberman with the arrows, plant the bomb with the spacebar.

1st gamer moves with letters WASD, can place a bomb with a space.

2nd player will move with the arrows, leave the bomb - Enter.

Choose the level of difficulty: student, master or experienced.

Mark the number of enemies in the game: 3, 2 or 1.

You can define the number of levels (from 5 to 20) and even play in your favorite location! Choosing the location of the game "Blow It Up 4" means not just changing the picture, each labyrinth has its own bonuses and traps.

The main difference between the 4 games "Blow it up" is a new challenge, you yourself determine which puzzle is more interesting and you can choose from 4 types of games.

1. Arcade (the last bomberman will win, you need to eliminate three rivals and stay alive yourself).
2. A tough battle (at the same time there will be 4 robots in the labyrinth, each keeps count of the blown up enemies. The task is to be the first to kill 10 robots.
3. Collecting Coins: Another challenge from the classic Blow It Up series of games, you have to be the first to reach 10 coins.
4. Floor coloring: here you need to play a race - you will compete in the speed of coloring 50 floor tiles.

Enjoy the feeling of victory in free games Bomb it!