PETN
Noun
Meaning
PETN (uncountable)
Initialism of pentaerythritol tetranitrate.
Synonyms
Anagrams
Examples
As a practical measure, primary explosives are sufficiently sensitive that they can be reliably initiated with a blow from a hammer; however, PETN can also usually be initiated in this manner, so this is only a very broad guideline.
Both packages contained sophisticated bombs concealed in computer printer cartridges filled with PETN. citation citation The bomb found in England contained convert of PETN, and the one found in Dubai contained convert of PETN.
PETN has low volatility and low solubility in water, and therefore has low bioavailability for most organisms.
PETN alone cannot be cast as it explosively decomposes slightly above its melting point, but it can be mixed with other explosives to form castable mixtures.
In spark detonators, PETN is used to avoid the need for primary explosives; the energy needed for a successful direct initiation of PETN by an electric spark ranges between 10–60 mJ.
It is less sensitive than pentaerythritol tetranitrate ( PETN ).