Performance of Current and New Watervapor Barrier Materials when Used in Bags for Packing Ammonium Nitrate

摘要

The performance of the multiwall Kraft paper/polyethylene bag currently used to pack and ship ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) was studied. It was found that the 1 1/2 mil polyethylene barrier will provide watervapor protection for only 2-5 days without exceeding the allowable moisture pickup for NH4NO3 (.15% by weight, i.e., till solidification, or 'caking' begins). This period of protection is not considered adequate, since it may reasonably be expected that the NH4NO3 will be in storage at the loading plant for 30-60 days. It should be understood that the performance determined in this report for each of the materials was based on laboratory tests conducted on the watervapor barrier material only, and that a final evaluation of any bag material should be based on actual user tests of the complete bag. (Author)