PYRO: Pyrotechnics
James Rogers (jamesr@best.com)
Wed, 25 Dec 1996 13:57:34 -0800
>> time. Interesting reaction. Nothing happens for 10 or 15 minutes and then
>> suddenly... (When synthesizing PETN, follow the temperature recommendations
>> *precisely*!)
>
>Tetranitropentaerythrite? Bad boy! Seriously bad boy. We never went
>beyond nitroglycerine and ethylnitrate.
>
Actually, PETN is quite stable. Certainly more stable (and slightly less
powerful) than nitroglycerin. When I got into high explosives I often chose
military ones due to the safety and stability factors. I actually tried
synthesizing most of the common military explosives: RDX, HMX, TNT, PETN,
Tetryl, et al.
Happily, I can say that I haven't messed with that stuff in years, but it
*was* fun at the time. Kept me entertained for hours...
-James Rogers
jamesr@best.com