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PETN (Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, also known as Penthrite) is one of the strongest known high explosives, with a relative effectiveness factor (R.E. factor) of 1.66. It is more sensitive to shock or friction than TNT or tetryl, and it is never used alone as a booster. It is primarily used in booster and bursting charges of small caliber ammunition, in upper charges of detonators in some land mines and shells, and as the explosive core of detonation cord.
PETN is also used as a vasodilator.
PETN is one of the explosive ingredients used in Semtex plastic explosive. During World War II the M9A1 2.36" Rocket Launcher (Bazooka) shaped charge, with 8 oz of pentolite, could penetrate up to 5 inches of armor.
Demolition charge, M118, commonly called Flex-X or sheet explosive, consists of 4 half-pound sheets of flexible explosive packed in a plastic envelope. Each sheet is approximately 3 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 1/4 inch thick. Note: The exact explosive contained in an M118 charge varies with the manufacturer. At present, some manufacturers use PETN as the basic explosive. Others use RDX. Charges manufactured in the future may include other explosives.
Properties
The velocity of detonation of PETN at a density of 1.7 is 8,400 meters per second.
PETN's formula is C(CH2ONO2)4. Its theoretical maximum crystal density is 1.773 g/cm3. It melts toward 141 °C.
Medicine
The medicine for heart diseases "Lentonitrat" is a pure PETN.
Manufacturers
As a pollutant in the environment
PETN does not occur naturally, so the production and use of this kind of compound can lead to contamination of the environment. PETN is subject to biodegradation in untreated or unpreserved urine and feces. There also have been some reports of its degradation by bacteria, whose PETN reductase denitrates PETN into trinitrates and then dinitrates (French et al., 1996). The last compound shown in the pathway, pentaerythritol dinitrate, is degraded further to unknown products.
References
Cooper, Paul W., Explosives Engineering, New York: Wiley-VCH, 1996. ISBN 0-471-18636-8
Alkyl nitrates | Explosive chemicals | Antianginals
Pentrit | Nitropenta | Tetranitrato di pentaeritrite | Tetranitropentaeritrīts | ペンスリット | Pentrit | PETN
"PETN"