# Can you 3D print explosives?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-3d-print-explosives/1028890>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [March 30, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-3d-print-explosives/1028890 "2026-03-30T16:29:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-3d-print-explosives/1028890/1 "2026-03-30T16:29:27Z")

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I know that some explosive compounds were melted and poured directly into artillery shells so it seems possible. Maybe make a nice Panama hat for your target. How about crab legs? They already look like they are made of plastic.

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**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-3d-print-explosives/1028890/2 "2026-03-30T16:48:49Z")

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Of course you can. Where to even start?

How about explosive ink:

> **[Additive manufacturing and combustion performance of CL-20 composites -...](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10853-019-04209-w)**
>
> The 3D printing technology has evolved impressively over the last decade in its ability to fabricate structures with complex architectures at the micro- and macroscale. 3D printing of high explosive would reduce the unnecessary process for excessive...

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**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-3d-print-explosives/1028890/3 "2026-03-30T21:56:14Z")

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Need answer fast?