Composition C-4 induced seizures: A report of five cases | Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)

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Citation
Tags

HERO ID

630092

Reference Type

Journal Article

Title

Composition C-4 induced seizures: A report of five cases

Author(s)

Hollander, AI; Colbach, EM

Year

1969

Is Peer Reviewed?

Journal

Military Medicine
ISSN: 0026-4075
EISSN: 1930-613X

Volume

134

Issue

Page Numbers

1529-1530

Language

English

PMID

4982949

Abstract

Composition C-4 is a putty-like explosive material that is widely used in Vietnam by US forces. It is found in Claymore mines and in standard demolition kits. Detonation is usually accomplished with a blasting cap. The main chemical component of Composition C-4 is RDX, which has been used as an explosive since World War I. The chemical structure of RDX is cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, which is similar to TNT. Although insoluble in water, in 80 per cent ethanol RDX is broken down to its constitutent parts of methylamine, nitrous acid, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Composition C-4 also contains small amounts of polyisobutylene, motor oil and sebacate.