Desensitized Explosives in IMDG Classes 3 and 4.1
Desensitized explosives are explosives wetted or diluted to suppress their explosive properties, carried as Class 4.1 solids or Class 3 liquids under IMDG.
A desensitized explosive is an explosive substance wetted with water or alcohol, or diluted with other substances, so that its explosive properties are suppressed. Solid desensitized explosives are carried in IMDG Division 4.1 under 2.4.2.4 of the IMDG Code, for example UN 2555 NITROCELLULOSE WITH WATER (not less than 25% water) and UN 1356 TRINITROTOLUENE (TNT), WETTED (not less than 30% water).
The wetting condition is part of the proper shipping name. The same material dry or under-wetted is a Class 1 explosive , such as UN 0340 nitrocellulose, 1.1D. The Tianjin explosions of 12 August 2015 began with nitrocellulose that had lost its wetting agent, according to the State Council investigation report.
The full article will cover the solid and liquid desensitized explosive entries, the competent-authority approvals, packaging and inspection of the wetting agent, and the Class 1 boundary.