Other Compounds used in Explosive Compositions

There are many other ingredients that are added to explosive compositions which in themselves are not explosive but can enhance the power of explosives, reduce the sensitivity, and aid processing. Aluminium powder is frequently added to explosive and propellant compositions to improve their efficiency. Ammonium nitrate (NH4N03) is used extensively in commercial explosives and propellants. It is the most important raw material in the manufacture of commercial explosives and it also provides oxygen in rocket propellant compositions. Some of the properties of ammonium nitrate are presented in Table 2.22. 

Commercial blasting explosives contain ammonium nitrate, wood meal, oil and TNT. A mixture of ammonium nitrate, water and oily fuels produces an emulsion slurry which is also used in commercial blasting explosives. Small glass or plastic spheres containing oxygen can be added to emulsion slurries to increase its sensitivity to detonation. 

Polymeric materials can be added to secondary explosives to produce polymer bonded explosives (PBXs). The polymers are generally used in 

Phlegmatizers are added to explosives to aid processing and reduce impact and friction sensitivity of highly sensitive explosives. Phlegmatizers can be waxes which lubricate the explosive crystals and act as a binder. 

---