Abstract: Infiltration compositions comprising chromium and at least about 80% copper. The infiltration compositions may further comprise iron, zinc, manganese, antimony and/or lubricants. Also, methods for infiltrating powder metal parts comprising contacting a powder metal part with the infiltration composition comprising chromium and at least about 80% copper and heating the powder metal part and infiltration composition to a temperature sufficient to melt the infiltration composition and allow the infiltration composition to infiltrate through pores in the powder metal part.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hardening ammonium nitrate by combining ammonium nitrate with a functionally active polymer. A functionally active polymer may be combined with ammonium nitrate by itself as a shell or intermixed with the ammonium nitrate. The invention is found useful in hardening ammonium nitrate for use in explosives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating for ammonium nitrate prills which enhances the storage life and facilitates the transportation of said prills. The coating is derived from stearic acid and is hydrophobic.

Abstract: A mixed surfactant system for use in emulsion explosives is provided which confers improved emulsion stability and comprises a surfactant and a co-surfactant, each having branched chain hydrocarbyl tail groups, the former having significantly longer tail chain groups than the latter, for which system poly[alk(en)yl] succinic anhydride based surfactants are especially preferred, said surfactants having an interaction parameter, .beta., which is less than zero.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensitizer provided as a foam that may be used individually and/or added to explosives, propellants, and/or pyrotechnics.

Abstract: A novel PIBSA-based surfactant is provided which has particular utility in the manufacture of water-in-oil explosive emulsions. The surfactant comprises the esterification product of polyalk(en)yl succinic anhydride and an adduct of the formula: ##STR1## whereR.sub.1 is H or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --OHandR.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of an acyl group containing 8-20 carbon atoms and a hydroxy ethyl ester of a mono- or di-carboxylic acid containing from 8-25 carbon atoms. The compound can be distinguished from the prior art PIBSA-based surfactants by virtue of the absence of any polyamine in its synthesis, the presence of an ester linkage and the absence of a salt linkage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved emulsion explosive compositions and their manufacture. More particularly, the invention relates to the provision of improved emulsion explosive compositions having reduced tackiness which permits them to be handled without difficulty and increased rigidity which enables them to maintain desired column height. The improved compositions also evince enhanced detonation sensitivity, improved shelf life over long periods of storage and greater resistance to shock or shear desensitisation though the precise reasons for these improvements are not always clear.