Sciencemadness Discussion Board

petroleum jelly

Magpie - 5-11-2015 at 16:14

Could someone please explain to me how petroleum jelly can be considered "poor man's C4".

re: UCMerced attack yesterday

OneEyedPyro - 5-11-2015 at 17:31

Petroleum jelly has no explosive properties by itself but if you mix it with Na/KClO3 you get a weak plastic explosive.
I'm guessing that's where the poor mans C4 reference came from

Detonationology - 5-11-2015 at 18:11

Quote: Originally posted by OneEyedPyro  
Petroleum jelly has no explosive properties by itself but if you mix it with Na/KClO3 you get a weak plastic explosive.
I'm guessing that's where the poor mans C4 reference came from

Cheddite

Duster - 5-11-2015 at 18:23

I don't normally chime in, mainly because I wouldnt have much to contribute (I read a lot) but since I am very familiar with Merced (for the record I am not nor ever was a student there), and since legit as well as improvised explosives is a subject I love learning about, I figure maybe I'll post this one time... for now...

Anyway, yeah cheddite is the "type" of explosive it is. It's a very popular (as in often repeated) homemade explosive mixture. Now honestly I've never seen it/done it, so everything I'm saying is what I've picked up online.

However, I do know the term "poor man's c4" was popularized by Ragnar Benson in one of his books of similar name. It's also listed in the ever popular KIPE, a few videos on youtube, and a couple threads here. While I can't confirm (I don't have a copy) I wouldn't be surprised if the anarchist cookbook lists it as well.

Since its against the rules I won't go into anything as far as performance, application, etc etc. Plus that's not what was asked anyway.

On a side note, NBC's website had an article that was put up earlier today and quoted the sheriff as being told by the bomb squad that petroleum jelly can be made into an inciendary. While I suppose technically true, I think one of them got a little mixed up in definitions but I digress.

Bert - 5-11-2015 at 18:42

Quote: Originally posted by Magpie  
Could someone please explain to me how petroleum jelly can be considered "poor man's C4".


Same reason Dr. Johnson defined "Pastern" as "the knee of a horse".
Quote:

A lady once asked him how he came to define Pastern the KNEE of a horse: instead of making an elaborate defence, as she expected, he at once answered, ‘Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance.’

arkoma - 5-11-2015 at 19:34

What irks me is how the word "lockdown" is used after an incident. Idiot wigs out, gets killed, threat OVER. Lockdown is what happens in the 'pen' after a riot.