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Dense inert metal explosive
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<p>Dense inert metal explosive (DIME) is an experimental type of <a href="/facts/Explosive_material/sUme5Pp8">explosive</a> that has a relatively small but effective <a href="/facts/Blast_radius/M9LR24Kj">blast radius</a>. It is manufactured by producing a homogeneous mixture of an explosive material (such as <a href="/facts/Phlegmatized/d5v0LlKX">phlegmatized</a> <a href="/facts/HMX/ax3nKgdq">HMX</a> or <a href="/facts/RDX/ke3nK9zI">RDX</a>) and small particles of a chemically inert material such as <a href="/facts/Tungsten/WYwbNDYX">tungsten</a>. It is intended to limit the effective distance of the explosion, to avoid <a href="/facts/Collateral_damage/FvVRuCqy">collateral damage</a> in warfare. </p><p>The phrase <i><a href="/facts/Chemically_inert/oglbxzgk">inert</a> metal</i> refers to a metal that is not chemically active and therefore not part of the chemical reaction that causes the explosion, as opposed to some metals, such as <a href="/facts/Aluminium/7wmR8jYE">aluminium</a>, that do form part of the chemical reaction—e.g. in <a href="/facts/Tritonal/z4SIJc6h">tritonal</a>. </p><p>An emerging criticism of DIME weapons is that they might turn out to have strong biological effects in those who are hit by the micro-<a href="/facts/Shrapnel_shell/rmqpmUTm">shrapnel</a> from these explosives. </p><p>DIME mixtures have been studied for some time, but apparently only began to be adopted for weapons after the year 2000. </p>