R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

251 PETN
vapor pressure:
Pressure Temperature
millibar °C °F
0.0011 97.0 207
0.0042 110.6 231
0.015 121.0 250
0.050 131.6 267
0.094 138.8 282 (near melting point)
lead block test: 523 cm3 /10 g
detonation velocity, confined:
8400 m/s = 27600ft/s at r = 1.7 g/cm3 deflagration point: 202 °C = 396 F
impact sensitivity: 0.3 kp m = 3 N m
friction sensitivity: 6 kp = 60 N pistil load
critical diameter of steel sleeve test: 6 mm
PETN is very stable, insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol,
ether, and benzene, and soluble in acetone and methyl acetate.
It is prepared by introducing pentaerythrol into concentrated nitric acid
with efficient stirring and cooling.
The bulk of the tetranitrate thus formed crystallizes out of the acid. The
solution is diluted to about 70% HNO3 in order to precipitate the
remainder of the product. The washed crude product is purified by
reprecipitation from acetone.
PETN is one of the most powerful and most brisant explosives, its
W Stability is satisfactory, and its W Sensitivity is moderate. It is used in
high-efficiency blasting-cap fillings and detonation cords. If phlegmatized
with a small amount of wax and pressed, it may be used to
produce boosters and fillings for smaller caliber projectiles. PETN can
also be incorporated into gelatinous, industrial explosives (e.g., for
seismic prospecting).
Specifications
melting point: not below 140 °C (284 °F)
nitrogen content: not below 17.5 %
Bergmann-Junk test at 132 °C
(267 °F): not above
2 ml NO/g
deflagration point: not below
acetone-insoluble matter:
190 °C (374 °F)
not more than 0.1 %
acidity, as HNO3: not more than
alkalinity, as Na2CO3:
0.003 %
not more than 0.003 %