Improved explosive compositions based on one or more oxidants and one or more organic fuels.

摘要

An explosive composition comprises an inorganic nitrate, concentrated nitric acid, and an organic fuel which is miscible with and does not react with nitric acid. Preferably, the inorganic nitrate is NH4NO3 or KNO3 and the strength of the HNO3 is at least 90%. The compound NH4NO3.2HNO3 may be formed when the nitrate and the acid are mixed. The fuel may be dinitrotoluene (DNT), trinitrotoluene (TNT), a mixture of TNT and mononitrotoluene, or a mixture of DNT and dinitrobenzene. A liquid mixture of 98% HNO3 and NH4NO3 may be mixed with the molten fuel by pumping together into a borehole. The explosive sets soon after mixing to a solid water-resistant substance. In order to vary the velocity of detonation of the explosive, the fuel may include a substance which reacts with the acid to produce gas; such substances are methylene bis-(monomethylnaphthylene sodium sulphonate), diphenylamine, aniline, creosote, o-toluidine, p-cresol, or acetone.