Tetrytol

Tetrytol is a high explosive, comprising a mixture of tetryl and TNT.^[1] Typically, the proportion of ingredients (by weight) is 65%, 70%, 75% or 80% tetryl to 35%, 30%, 25% or 20% TNT. Tetryl and TNT do form a eutectic with a setting point of 67.5 °C, which consists of 55% tetryl and 45% TNT.^[2] Hence, cast tetrytol charges consist of solidified suspensions of crystalline tetryl in the solid tetryl-TNT-eutectic. Tetrytol is more sensitive than TNT and less sensitive than tetryl to impact.^[1] The detonation velocity of unconfined cast cylindrical charges (1 inch diameter) of tetrytol is between 7290 and 7410 m/s with an average of 7350 m/s for tetrytol 75/25 and 7340 m/s for tetrytol 65/35.^[2] For comparison, cylindrical charges of cast pure TNT of similar dimensions are reported to detonate with a velocity of between 6680 and 6990 m/s.^[3]

Applications of tetrytol are usually military in nature e.g. burster tubes for chemical weapons (e.g. nerve agentshells), blocks of demolition explosives and cast shaped charges.^[2]

Dry tetrytol is compatible with copper, brass, aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, mild steel coated with acid proof paint and mild steel plated with copper, cadmium, zinc or nickel. Magnesium-aluminum alloys are slightly affected by dry tetrytol. Wet tetrytol is compatible with stainless steel and mild steel coated with acid proof black paint. Copper, brass, aluminum, magnesium, magnesium-aluminum alloy, mild steel and mild steel plated with cadmium, copper, zinc or nickel are slightly affected by wet tetrytol.^[4]

Cuando se almacena por debajo de 65 °C (149 °F), el tetritol no altera su estabilidad, contenido ácido, sensibilidad ni brillo. Sin embargo, a temperaturas de 65 °C o superiores, se forma un extrudado aceitoso y se produce la deformación de los bloques. Si bien el tetryl se descompone parcialmente al fundirse, la fusión del tetritol no tiene el mismo efecto. Incluso tras fundirlo y solidificarlo repetidamente, el tetritol no presenta cambios en el punto de congelación, la sensibilidad al impacto ni en el valor de la prueba de estabilidad al vacío a 100 °C. ^{[ 2 ]}

La producción y el uso de tetritol se han interrumpido en Estados Unidos debido a problemas relacionados con la exudación y la baja estabilidad a temperaturas de almacenamiento elevadas. ^{[ 2 ]}