- PLX
PLX, or Picatinny Liquid Explosive, is a liquid binary
explosive , a mixture of 95%nitromethane and 5%ethylene diamine (EDA). Otheramine groups can be used in replacement of ethylene diamine, such astriethylene tetramine orethanolamine . While the previously mentioned amines, as well as many others, sensitize NM quite well, ethylene diamine has been found to be most effective.Properties
PLX, when mixed, is a transparent liquid with a yellowish tint. Both ethylene diamine and nitromethane are very volatile, requiring the contents to be sealed if any storage is intended. Generally, for safety purposes, the contents should be transported separately and mixed on site. PLX is known to have a VoD of anywhere between 6,000 - 7,000 m/s, depending on diameter. Although greatly sensitized by the addition of EDA, PLX still requires a powerful
blasting cap if not a small booster charge to successfully detonate.Uses and Discovery
PLX was invented during
World War II by thePicatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. It was originally designed to clearminefield s by being spread via plane over the targeted area or poured from a safe distance and detonated by troops on the ground.This explosive can also be
gel led through the addition ofnitrocellulose , ETN, or any number of soluble nitro esters orgelling agent s. This allows for the use of an addition powdered metal fuel such asaluminum ormagnesium to be suspended in the mixture. While this substantially lowers the VoD, it increases heat/energy output and results in a more sustainedblast wave .ensitizing of Nitromethane
It is known that the amine groups (NH3) are responsible for the sensitization of nitromethane, chemical formula CH3NO2. It is thought that the amine weakens the C-N bond in the nitromethane, resulting in less energy being needed to break the bond, thus detonation.
It was the supposed explosive used in the film "
Die Hard with a Vengeance ".Fact|date=October 2007 Unfortunately, the film grossly over exaggerated the sensitivity of this explosive mixture.PLX was one of the explosives used to down
Korean Air Flight 858 along with C-4.
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