PETN —Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate

High-brisance secondary explosive for detonating cords, detonators 
and boosters
Chemical formula
C₅H₈O₄(NO₂)₄
Appearance
Melting point
White crystalline powder (light grey 
permitted)
141.0 ± 1.0 °C
Nitrogen content
Insolubles in acetone
≥ 17.50%
≤ 0.10%  ·  no particles retained on 
0.425 mm sieve
Moisture and volatiles
≤ 0.10%