What is tetryl?
The chemical name for tetryl is 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-n-methylnitramine. Some commonly used names are nitramine, tetralite, and tetril. Tetryl is an odorless, synthetic, yellow crystal-like solid that is not found naturally in the environment. Under certain conditions, tetryl can exist as dust in air. It dissolves slightly in water and in other liquids. Tetryl was used to make explosives, mostly during World Wars I and II. It is no longer manufactured or used in the United States. Stocks of tetryl are found in storage at military installations and are being destroyed by the Department of Defense (DOD).
