Detonating Cord (Det Cord)
Definition
A flexible tube containing a PETN explosive core at a standard linear charge density (3.6 g/m for No. 2 cord). Propagates detonation at approximately 6,400 m/s. Used in mining and demolition for simultaneous multi-point initiation. Brand names: Primacord (US), Cordeau (France).
- Explosive core
- PETN
- Standard charge density
- 3.6 g/m for No. 2 cord
- Detonation velocity
- About 6,400 m/s
- Use
- Simultaneous multi-point initiation in mining and demolition
- Brand names
- Primacord (US), Cordeau (France)
Common questions
What distinguishes detonating cord from ordinary safety fuse in a scene reconstruction?+
Safety fuse burns at a slow, predictable rate to give a time delay before ignition, while detonating cord actually detonates along its length at several kilometres per second, so its residue pattern and the near-simultaneous timing of multiple charges point investigators toward a coordinated, multi-point initiation rather than a single timed device.
Why does the PETN core matter for post-blast chemical analysis?+
Recovering PETN residue on cord fragments or nearby surfaces helps confirm det cord was the initiation method, and because PETN is also used in some detonators and sheet explosives, examiners cross-check the physical form, such as cord casing fragments, alongside the chemical result rather than relying on the residue alone.
Related terms
- Brisance (Shattering Power)
- The localised shattering effect of a detonation shock wave, measured by the Trauzl lead block test or the sand-crush test. RDX and...
- C-4
- US military standard plastic explosive containing approximately 91% RDX in a di(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate and polyisobutylene binder. White, odourless, malleable. Detonation velocity 8,050 m/s....
- Composition B (Comp B)
- A secondary high explosive formulation of 60% RDX and 40% TNT by mass, melt-cast from the TNT matrix. Used in artillery shells,...
- DMDNB
- 2,3-Dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane, the primary detection taggant mandated by the 1991 ICAO Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives. Required at 0.1% by mass...
- GC-ECD
- Gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Achieves 1-10 picogram detection limits for nitroaromatic (TNT, DNT) and nitramine (RDX, HMX, PETN) explosives. Cannot...
- ICAO Montreal Protocol on Plastic Explosives (1991)
- The Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection, adopted by ICAO following the Lockerbie and UTA bombings....
- LC-MS/MS (Negative ESI)
- Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in negative-ion electrospray ionisation mode. Confirmatory method for all conventional secondary explosives and the primary method...
- Oxygen Balance
- A percentage expressing the surplus or deficit of oxygen in an explosive molecule relative to stoichiometric complete oxidation of carbon to CO2...
- Semtex H
- A plastic explosive manufactured by Explosia a.s. (Czech Republic) containing approximately 41% PETN and 41% RDX in a styrene-butadiene rubber binder. Identified...