3 ms·
You still need an initiator to set off PETN. He was making a primary explosive, which is needed to make an initiator or blasting cap. Primary explosives are, a
by K0balt 3y ago
You still need an initiator to set off PETN. He was making a primary explosive, which is needed to make an initiator or blasting cap.
Primary explosives are, as a rule, (and to perform their function) easy to set off, typically with heat or minor impact alone.
PETN just burns if you set it on fire. ETN detonates, which is what you want when you are building an electric initiator.
Making primary explosives is always sketchy business, since a spark or minor impact is often enough to set them off.
- sidewndr46 3y agofrom what I understand this is the mystery of the Alfred P Murrah building bombing. There was never any conclusion as to how the torpex acting as the primary explosive was obtained.
- Arrath 3y agoI seem to recall reading that McVeigh broke into the storage magazine(s) at some local rock quarry and stole dynamite and blasting caps, which would be plenty to set off his home made ANFO (actually ANNM IIRC, but I digress). Guess I'll have to do some research to confirm my memories.
- jdougan 3y agoAccording to WikipediA, it was Torvex not Torpex.