What happens to detonating cord when it gets wet?

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Multiple Choice

What happens to detonating cord when it gets wet?

Explanation:
Detonating cord relies on a highly sensitive explosive core to carry a detonation along its length. Water that gets into the cord cools the explosive and adds mass, which makes it harder for the initiating energy to drive the detonation through the cord. That dampening effect means the cord becomes less sensitive to initiation, so it’s less reliable at propagating a detonation. In practice, wet cord is considered compromised and should be replaced or dried before use.

Detonating cord relies on a highly sensitive explosive core to carry a detonation along its length. Water that gets into the cord cools the explosive and adds mass, which makes it harder for the initiating energy to drive the detonation through the cord. That dampening effect means the cord becomes less sensitive to initiation, so it’s less reliable at propagating a detonation. In practice, wet cord is considered compromised and should be replaced or dried before use.

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