Torpex is a secondary explosive made by combining explosive compounds with powdered aluminium. The mixture aims to produce greater effect from a given mass while reducing dependence on difficult or expensive ingredients. Wartime explosives are consumed when used, so material cost and available feedstocks affect how many weapons can be produced. Its long, partly concealed development also makes the history difficult to date precisely.
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Torpex as a more powerful secondary explosive
Torpex combines established explosives with aluminium to increase destructive effect while economizing on difficult or costly ingredients.