R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

Petroleum Jelly
W Vacuum Test at 120 °C (248 °F):
not more than 5 cm 3
Pentaerythrol (raw material):
C(CH2OH)4
molecular weight: 136.15
melting point: 260.5 °C (501 °F)
Specifications
melting point:
beginning not below 230 °C (446 °F)
moisture: not more than 0.5 %
chlorides: none
not more than 0.5 %
reaction:
reducing matter (AgNO3-NH3-test):
neutral
not more than traces
Petroleum Jelly
Vaseline
This substance is used as a gunpowder stabilizer. It is believed that
the stabilizing effect is due to the presence of unsaturated hydrocarbons,
which are capable of binding any decomposition products
formed.
Phlegmatization
252
The impact sensitivity and friction sensitivity of highly sensitive crystalline
explosives (e.g., W Hexogen and W PETN) can be reduced to a
considerable extent by the addition of small amounts of a phlegmatizer.
This can be an organic polymer or plasticizer, which may act as a
lubricant or elastifying agent. For pressed charges it was wax that
serves as a desirable lubricant and as a binder. RDX, PETN, and
W Octogen cannot be compacted by pressing, unless they contain
phlegmatization additives. Wax can also be added to pourable mixtures
if they contain aluminum powder (W Torpex).