Tetracene is a colorless or pale yellow material. It is soluble in strong hydrochloric acid but practically insoluble in alcohol, water, benzene, ether, and carbon tetrachloride.  Tetracene is only slightly hygroscopic. It explodes readily from flame, producing a large volume of black smoke. Tetracene is slightly more sensitive to impact than mercury fulminate and is more brisant when initiated by tetryl or mercury fulminate than when self initiated by fire.  It can become easily dead-pressed; i.e., its sensitivity can be reduced or destroyed by a significant increase in density.