Detonating cord is manufactured with a core load of

• A. RDX
• B. PETN
• C. TNT
• D. HMX

Answer: (B)

Detonating cord relies on a high-energy core to transmit the detonation wave along its length, and the standard core load is PETN, pentaerythritol tetranitrate. PETN is chosen because it combines a very high detonation velocity with reliable sensitivity, which makes the initiation wave travel quickly and uniformly from one end of the cord to every charge it’s connected to. This fast, consistent propagation is essential for coordinating multiple charges from a single initiation point. If the core were TNT, the detonation would move more slowly, reducing reliability over long cords. RDX and HMX are less commonly used as the cord’s core due to differences in sensitivity, performance, or handling considerations, making PETN the preferred and most common core for detonating cord.