Composition Explosives

Composition Explosives are a variety of plastic explosives that are designated by acronyms like C1, C2, C3, C4, CA, CB and etcetera. These are plastic demolition explosives that are made from various explosives like RDX and PETN blended with other agents like waxes, oils and plasticizers to produce explosives that exhibit special qualities for specific applications. C-2 is a particularly useful military version and C4 is a mixture of RDX and PETN. The main difference between the various mixtures is that they remain useful through different temperature ranges.

U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech placing C-4 explosives on munitions in a trench before exploding; Oct. 2, 2005.
Photo: Sergeant Albert Eaddy. U.S. Army.
National Archives and Records Administration.
Still Picture Branch; College Park, Maryland.