The Dangers of Tetryl: Why This Explosive is No Longer Used

Tetryl is a name that was historically used for a type of explosive called trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (TNP). It is no longer used as an explosive, and its production and use have been discontinued due to its instability and the risk of accidental detonation.

Tetryl was first synthesized in the early 20th century and was initially used as a component of explosives, such as dynamite and gelatin dynamite. It was also used as a booster charge in the production of other explosives. However, its use was discontinued due to the risk of accidental detonation and the availability of safer and more stable explosives.

Tetryl is a highly unstable explosive that can detonate spontaneously without any external trigger. This makes it extremely dangerous to handle and store, and it has been linked to several accidents and fatalities over the years. As a result, its production and use have been largely discontinued, and it is no longer used in any commercial or military applications.