PLX

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PLX, or Picatinny Liquid Explosive, is a liquid binary explosive, a mixture of 95% nitromethane and 5% ethylene diamine. 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.