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| Deadly powder has been used before |
| 2009-12-28 |
| PENTAERYTHRITOL Tetranitrate, or PETN, is a highly explosive, colourless organic compound, related to nitroglycerine. The deadly substance was used by Richard Reid, the so-called shoe bomber, who failed in an attempt to blow up a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001. Officials said analysis of the remnants of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's device was being carried out by the FBI. It was possible that had the chemical mixture detonated, it might have brought down the aircraft. Introduced as an explosive by the Germans before World War I, PETN is ''valued for its shattering force and efficiency''. It is the ''least stable of the common military explosives but retains its properties in storage for longer periods than nitroglycerine or cellulose nitrate [nitrocellulose] does'', the Encyclopedia Britannica says. The white crystalline substance feels powdery to the touch. It is more sensitive to shock or friction than TNT or tetryl, and it is never used alone. It is primarily used in booster and bursting charges of small-calibre ammunition and in detonators. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #6 Ouch. An early start on the martyrdom, that. Go for it, O Lions Of Islam. |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-12-28 19:45 |
| #5 Or waxing. If he wanted to be really, really pure. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-12-28 19:23 |
| #4 Oh, agreed. But I gather one is supposed to purify oneself in this way just prior to commiting martyrdom. Perhaps given the length of his trip he used Nair to ensure he met the requirement? |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-12-28 18:56 |
| #3 The day after one shaves the hair starts to grow in, lotp. And very short hair is more abrasive than the longer version. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-12-28 18:35 |
| #2 Ritual body shaving prior to martyrdom would reduce the chafing problem, one supposes. |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-12-28 08:25 |
| #1 sensitive to shock or friction Doesn't sound like the kind of thing one would want to make underwear out of. Think of the problems with explosive flatulence or with chafing. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2009-12-28 08:15 |