CZK - Plastická trhavina Pl Hx 30

Plastic explosive Pl Hx 30 belongs to the category of high efficiency explosives. From a military point of view, it is one of the special engineer charges. It is a malleable mass of light gray color. It contains 40% hexogen, 40% pentrite, 8% aluminum powder and 12% non-explosive powder binder. It is about 50% more effective than a triol. During handling, it is completely safe and reliable in the temperature range from - 40 ° C to + 60 ° C. At temperatures - 10 ° C. C and lower, its ductility deteriorates slightly and it is necessary to knead it more and heat it with your hands. It is not physiologically harmful. It is not sensitive to impact, friction and shot. It does not detonate even when fired by a piercing-incendiary projectile from an infantry weapon. When ignited in air, it burns with a bright flame, but does not detonate.





Unlike TNT cartridges, which already have a given shape and weight from the factory, which makes it difficult to assemble them into cartridges, plastic explosives have the advantage of their ductility and easy divisibility.
The ductility of an explosive allows only as much explosive as is actually needed to destroy the object to be spread on the torn object. The charge of plastic explosive can be suitably lined with the torn object (object) or the charge can be placed in the most advantageous place from the point of view of the effectiveness of the explosion.
This makes it possible to create mass-accurate shaped or directed charges which can be shaped according to the need, situation and nature of the torn object.
Plastic explosive Pl Hx 30 adheres to relatively smooth surfaces of various materials. It is very resistant to water. Even after a long stay under water, it does not lose its ability to initiate and detonate. Therefore, it is especially suitable for precise tearing of various elements, such as door locks and hinges, various building beams and supports, pipes, rails, hulls, underwater structures and pipes, excavation of wells, etc.





Ignition is performed by a time detonator, a detonator with a detonator (BP-1 detonator) or an electric detonator. In an emergency, in the absence of detonators or the action of BP-1, it is possible to bring the plastic explosive to explosion by means of a lightning rod so that the node formed at the end of the lightning rod line is placed min. 1 cm to a depth below the surface of the plastic explosive charge.





Plastic explosive Pl Hx 30 is manufactured and supplied in cartridges (bricks) weighing 3 kg and measuring 23.5 x 13.5 x 6.1 cm. The cartridges are packed in a barrier foil with an aluminum layer that is impermeable to light, gases and vapors. The film is highly resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage, it is washable with water and common detergents. The packaging is olive green, basic information about the explosive is printed on it (name and designation of the explosive, weight and dimensions of the charge, serial number, year of manufacture and manufacturer). The package is equipped with a graphic aid (lines) for better division (portioning) into individual charges of 200 g or 1 g.
The P1 Hx, 30 cartridges are stored in PM-2 type transport boxes of 5 pieces each in one layer. The dimensions of the PM-2 transport boxes are 37 x 33 x 19.5 cm and have a total weight of 19 kg (of which 15 kg of explosives). The lid and the back wall of the box are provided with covered holes, which, if necessary, are used to insert a time detonator, a lightning rod with a detonator (BP-1 lightning rod), an electric detonator or an emergency node on the lightning rod, which is inserted 1 cm below the charge surface. paragraph above). The whole set can then be used as a concentrated charge.





The PM-2 kit includes:
- 6 pcs of bags with putty of 100 g
- roll of textile adhesive tape
- two mandrels for digging detonator wells in charges
- 2 pcs of trowel for cutting charges and applying sealant

The sealant is intended for better fixing of explosives to the torn object. However, it cannot be used for mounting on wet or heavily soiled objects. For fastening loads on such objects or for fastening for more than 10 minutes, it is more suitable to use auxiliary fastening means (binding wire, adhesive tape, etc.).





Due to the fact that plastic explosive charges are not equipped with detonator wells, it is necessary to excavate the well into the charges before use.The pins that are part of the PM-2 set are used for this purpose. If the pins are not available, various aids can be used (stick, pencil, knife, etc.). However, never use the detonator itself to create a detonator well in a plastic explosive charge !!!!!!!!!!





Sources:
Women's Prescription 2-6 Ref. 2264/SŽV/1980 issued by MNO ČSSR in 1982
Workbook - Explosives and Destruction published by VA Vyškov in 2005 under contract number 45/2005
Photo archive of the author

I would like to note that the mentioned plastic explosive was developed and until recently produced in Chemko Strážska. So it is originally a Slovak plastic explosive. The Czech side went in the direction of Pentrite (PlNP10) and the Slovak side in the direction of Hexogen (PlHX30), as a result of which the properties of hexogen explosives were better by about 30% than pentrite-based explosives. How Synthesia/Explosia got to PlHX30 is another chapter. ))

According to foreign info, the hexogen produced in Strážský was one of the best in the world - in terms of purity and production technology.

Another factual description - no PM-2 kit exists. The PM-2 is just a type of essentially universal ammunition box (in which plastic explosives with accessories were stored and stored), nothing more.