Hexanite was a castable German military explosive developed early in the Second World War for the Kriegsmarine, intended to augment supplies of Trinitrotoluene, which were then in short supply. Hexanite is significantly more powerful than TNT on its own.

The most common Hexanite formula (by weight) was 60% TNT and 40% Hexanitrodiphenylamine.

Typically, Hexanite was used in underwater naval weapons e.g. warheads for the G7a and G7e series torpedos http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTGER_WWII.htmhttp://www.dutchsubmarines.com/specials/special_torpedoes_mines.htm and the 300 kilogram main explosive charge in aluminium-cased http://www.lhg.is/english/eod/buoyant, moored "EMF" magnetic mines capable of being laid by U-boats in 200, 300 or 500 metres of water.http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMGER_Mines.htm http://www.lhg.is/english/eod/mines/.

This explosive is regarded as obsolete, so any Hexanite-filled munitions encountered will be in the form of unexploded ordnance dating from Second World War.

See also

• Minol
• Torpex