This paper reports for the first time that the sliding potential of a single layer of the 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) crystal is within 0-77.9 kJ per mol unit cell or 0-29.4 MJ/m(3) and that the most possible sliding orientation is approximately along one line. As compared to another easy-slide material, graphite, TATB has a higher sliding potential and fewer sliding routes and furthermore is more difficult to slide. However, TATB can still slide due to its highest sliding potential points below the apparent activation energy of the decomposition energy of any common explosive. This slide may be the main reason as to why TATB can be used as a desensitizer versus mechanical stimuli.