Semtex is one of the commonly used forms of plastic explosives. Plastic or Putty explosives are handmade explosives. They are flexible and easy to hand mold them. These explosives are mostly composed of 80 percent explosive material and 20 percent soft plastic with temperatures varying between -22 to 129 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the early 1900s at the time of world war I am when plastic explosives first came into use, they were called nitrols. Back then it was considered the most potent plastic explosive. World War II was when plastic explosives like explosive 808 came into the limelight, it was considered to be one of the most sought-after explosives of that time.
As World War II kept progressed newer versions of plastic explosives kept being developed with higher RDX components. From Gelignite being the first putty explosive to Semtex the commonly used plastic explosive, plastic explosives are useful both for commercial and military purposes.
Coming to the uses of plastic explosives, these kinds are useful for various purposes. Engineers use plastic explosives for demolishing purposes as well as at mining sites to blast bigger obstacles. Military engineers work in shaping and forming plastic explosives and use them for military warfare purposes.
Commercially plastic explosives are used in metal industries for either the cutting work or the hardening work depending on the composition of the explosive make. With high explosive shock waves and higher density, these make an ideal option for industrial cutting purposes.
Different nations design and manufacture different kinds of Plastic explosives depending on the level of usage and purpose. For instance, Germany manufactures Seismoplast 1, whereas Switzerland manufactures Plastex. Australia, the PE4’s; USA, the Composition C4. UK manufacturers both the PE variant as well as Composition C4, with Sweden and Netherlands manufacturing NHS711 and Knaverit S1 respectively. Semtex is the product of the Czech Republic, Israel, and the UK.
More about Semtex
Semtex is a widely used plastic or putty explosive discovered in the Czech Republic in the early ‘60s. In its initial days, Semtex was widely used, well-noted names associated with the usage of Semtex explosives are Vietnam Army in the Vietnamese War and the Ireland Army.
After being identified as the easily available explosive associated with many terrorist activities the export of Semtex was cut short to a limited number and is now governed by political bodies. However, over some time, to be specific from the early ‘90s microchips were started to be implemented in the semtex explosives to easily detect and track their usage.
Types of Semtex Plastic Explosives
Semtex comes in three variants depending on the composition of various materials. The three variants are- Semtex 1A, Semtex H, and Semtex 2P.
- Semtex 1A
This kind of plastic explosive is commonly used for mining purposes. Semtex 1A is made out of- 76% Penthrite, 4.6% RDX, 9.4% Styrene Butadiene Rubber as a binder agent, 9% Plasticizers, 0.5% Antioxidant, and 0.5% Sudan IV as a dye or pigment. - Semtex H
This kind of plastic explosive is commonly used as a shock hardener to harden and strengthen alloys and metals. Semtex H is made out of- 40.9% Penthrite, 41.2% RDX, 9% Styrene Butadiene Rubber as a binder agent, 7.9% Plasticizers, 0.5% Antioxidant and 0.5% Sudan I as a dye or pigment. - Semtex 2P
These kinds of plastic explosives are commonly used as detonators for demolishing purposes. Semtext 2P is made out of- 58.45% Penthrite, 22.9% RDX, 9.2% Styrene Butadiene Rubber as a binder agent, 8.45% Plasticizers, 0.5% Antioxidant and optional pigment.
Ways to detect Semtex Plastic Explosives
Semtex Explosives can be detected using multiple ways, a couple of which are explained below-
- Electronic Detectors
Chemical resistive detecting sensors are used to detect Semtex Plastic Explosives, these detectors are small in size, consume way lesser energy, and are quick at detecting explosives. - X Rays
Typically used at baggage counters and x-ray screenings. X-Rays help detect the elements that go into producing an explosive. X-Ray based technology to detect explosives is commonly set up at airports.
- Dogs
Dating back to the mid-1900s, one of the earliest methods of detecting explosives is by letting dogs sniff the explosive’s scent. Dogs are trained for this purpose as they come useful due to their sensitive noses, communicating in their trained way of response.
- Color Reactions or Colorimetric
This method is right out of a chemical laboratory. suspected material is coated with a chemical reactant, and upon the change of color of the reactant, explosives are detected. The chemicals that go into composing an explosive reaction to the chemical coat to detect. - Honey Bees
Lesser popular and limited usage approach is using honey bees to detect explosives. Although they are proven more potential than dogs in sniffing explosives out. Honeybees are specifically trained for these purposes. - Scent Detection Devices
These are mainly used to detect bigger size explosives or multiple explosives set in vast expanses. This equipment help in tracing explosive materials without sampling them. They use a technology called machine olfaction which replicates the human sense of smell in an automated machine format. - Spectrometry
Spectrometry is an analytical technique that helps in separating compositions of elements both in liquid form and gaseous form. This way the ratios of compounding elements are identified thus detecting drugs and explosives. Mass spectrometry devices are being used by nations such as the United States, European nations, and Israel. - Neutron Activation Analysis
Neutron Activation Analysis takes place with the usage of specially crafted equipment that bombards the sample with neutrons to understand the ratios between hydrogen, nitrogen, and chlorine atoms i.e. identifying the chemical composition of the sample. - Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology can be used to detect explosives of liquid or vapor form. These liquid or vapor explosives are let to flow over a silicon chip built out of minute nano wiring which helps detect the explosive. A silicone chip in contact with the explosive reacts to the material that goes into composing these explosives, hence detecting.
