PLX, or Picatinny Liquid Explosive, is a liquid binary explosive, a mixture of 95% nitromethane and 5% ethylene diamine. An explosive material is a material that either is chemically or otherwise Energetically unstable or produces a sudden expansion of the material usually accompanied Nitromethane is an Organic compound with the chemical formula CH3NO2 Ethylenediamine (abbreviated as en when a Ligand) is the Organic compound with the formula C2H4(NH22 Other amine groups can be used in replacement of ethylene diamine, such as triethylene tetramine or ethanolamine. 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 WWII by the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. It was originally designed to clear minefields 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 gelled through the addition of nitrocellulose, ETN, or any number of soluble nitro esters or gelling agents. This allows for the use of an addition powdered metal fuel such as aluminum or magnesium to be suspended in the mixture. While this substantially lowers the VoD, it increases heat/energy output and results in a more sustained blast wave.
Sensitizing 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. Die Hard with a Vengeance is a 1995 Action film, and the second Sequel in the ''Die Hard'' series. 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. Korean Air Flight 858 was en route from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok on 29 November 1987 when it exploded over the Andaman Sea C-4 or Composition C-4 is a common variety of military Plastic explosive.
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