Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel salt composition comprising: (A) at least one salt moiety derived from (A)(I) at least one high-molecular weight hydrocarbyl-substituted polycarboxylic acylating agent, said hydrocarbyl-substituent of said acylating agent (A)(I) having a number average molecular weight of at least about 280, and (A)(II) one or more members selected from the group consisting of ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; (B) at least one salt moiety derived from (B)(I) at least one low-molecular weight polycarboxylic acylating agent, said acylating agent (B)(I) optionally having at least one hydrocarbyl substituent having up to about 18 carbon atoms, and (B)(II) one or more members selected from the group consisting of ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; said moieties (A) and (B) being coupled together b

Abstract: Propellant formulations are provided which include non-toxic burn rate modifiers. In order to produce a usable propellant formulation, it is necessary to control the burn rate of the propellant. Failure to adequately control the propellant burn rate often results in unacceptable performance of the propellant. For example, during the operation of a rocket motor, or similar device which contains a propellant, the propellant may produce operating pressures which are too high or too low for the intended purpose of the device.It has often been the practice to add lead to rocket motor propellants in order to modify the burn rate and to maintain the burn rate within acceptable parameters. Lead, however, is known to be toxic and a pollutant. Accordingly, it is desirable to replace the lead in the formulation. It has been found herein that bismuth trioxide is capable of modifying the burn rate of propellants without resorting to lead as a burn rate additive.

Abstract: An improved emulsion explosive composition including hollow microspheres/bulking agents having high density and high strength. The hollow microspheres/bulking agents have true particle densities of about 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter or greater and include glass, siliceous, ceramic and synthetic resin microspheres, expanded minerals, and mixtures thereof. The preferred weight percentage of hollow microspheres/bulking agents in the composition ranges from 3.0 to 10.0 A chlorinated paraffin oil, also present in the improved emulsion explosive composition, imparts a higher film strength to the oil phase in the emulsion. The emulsion is rendered nonincendive by the production of sodium chloride in situ via the decomposition of sodium nitrate, a chlorinated paraffin oil, and sodium perchlorate. The air-gap sensitivity is improved by the in situ formation of monomethylamine perchlorate from dissolved monomethylamine nitrate and sodium perchlorate.

Abstract: A method of increasing the viscosity, and the resistance to high shear induced crystallization, of a pumpable, shear thickened emulsion explosive, is provided wherein the explosive has been prepared by emulsifying an oxidizer salt phase into a fuel phase, and at least a portion of said fuel phase has been replaced with a vegetable oil. The explosives are particularly suitable for use in up-hole blasting operations because of their high viscosity and resistance to shear induced crystallization of the oxidizer salt.

Abstract: The coacervation of ferrocene and ferrocene derivative is carried out in a ater-soluble polyol, coacervation mixture at a reaction temperature from about 40.degree. C. to about 55.degree. C. The coacervation mixture is comprised of about 70 to about 80 parts of a 1:1 ratio of water and a water soluble polyol selected from glycol, a glycerol, and an erythritol, a urea derivative selected from melamine and triazine, and an aldehyde or ketone selected from the water soluble aldehydes or ketones consisting of methanal, ethanal, propanal, propanone, and 2-butanone. Micro-droplets of the ferrocene derivative, 2,2-bis(ethylferrocenyl)propane, are formed by vigorous agitation of the coacervation mixture containing the ferrocene derivative. A polymeric coating on the outer surface of the micro-droplets produces a coacervate which is separated from the coacervation mixture.

Abstract: A blasting composition of reduced volume strength relative to straight ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) compositions, containing particulate oxidizer salt, particulate inert and/or density reducing filler and optionally a fuel for modifying the oxygen balance. The composition contains a viscous water-in-oil type emulsion, having a continuous fuel phase and a discontinuous aqueous phase of oxidizing salts, in an amount sufficient for improving adherence between the particulate oxidizer salt and the particulate filler, but insufficient for filling out the interstices between the particulate oxidizer salt and the particulate filler.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprises one or several self-detonating explosives, such as PETN, HMX, TNT or RDX, desensitized by wax or water and one or several inert materials. The invention is characterized in that the inert material or a part thereof consists of a rubber of the type silicone rubber or latex rubber, which inert material constitutes matrix or binding agent. The components after being mixed together constitute a composition, which can be cast, extruded or rolled-out.

Abstract: A method for producing porous propellant charges from a mixture containing a propellant and a filler is described wherein a propellant having a decomposition temperature above 200.degree. C. is employed with a thermally removable filler to provide the charge forming mixture. The mixture is molded into a charge body and is subsequently heated to remove the filler at a temperature that is at least 50.degree. C. below the decomposition temperature of the propellant. Due to the heating at the elevated temperature the filler is wholly or in part removed to form a cavity within the charge body.

Abstract: Process for the formulation of a multi-component explosive composition from non-detonable components comprising a defined body of unconsolidated particulate aluminum fuel granules and an oxidizing liquid. Specific particulate aluminum fuel has an average particle size within the range of about 1/64-1/4 inch and is packed within a container or other confining structure to provide an average bulk density within the range of 0.2-1.0 gm/cc. The aluminum fuel particles are generally wadded-up aluminum foil granules. The oxidizing liquid added to the body of aluminum fuel fills the void space between granules of aluminum entrapping some voids within the granules to provide an average bulk density of the mixture of oxidizing liquid and particulate aluminum within the of 1.2-1.7 gm/cc, creating an explosive, formulation which is detonable in a diameter of 4 inches at 20.degree. C. by a one pound pentolite booster and normally by a 1/2 pound pentolite booster.

Abstract: An insensitive gel propellant composition based on a fine-particle detonating high explosive which contains from about 10 to 15 wt. % water, and which will not ignite until subjected to a temperature of about 900 psi.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive comprising a discontinuous oxygen-releasing salt phase, a continuous fuel phase and an emulsifier blend, said emulsifier blend comprising a first emulsifier component consisting of at least one emulsifier comprising a lipophilic moiety, being a polymer of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 olefin, and a hydrophilic moiety, being derived from an amine wherein the HLB of the first emulsifier component, as herein defined, is in the range of from 1.0 to 1.3 and a second emulsifier component and wherein the HLB of the emulsifier blend, as herein defined is in the range of from 1.4 to 3.0. Compositions of the present invention combine not only ease of formation and long term stability but also provide significant advantages in the refinement of emulsions and exhibit improved tolerance to shear allowing repumping and greater ease of handling.

Abstract: The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as a continuous phase, an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution as a discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, gas bubbles or an air entraining agent for sensitization, and from about 1% to about 30% by weight of the composition urea for stabilization against thermal degradation with reactive sulfide/pyrite ores. The invention also relates to a method of using such explosives.

Abstract: Emulsifiers are disclosed which comprise the reaction product of component (I) with component (II). Component (I) comprises the reaction product of certain carboxylic acids or anhydrides, or ester or amide derivatives thereof, with ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali and/or at least one alkaline-earth metal. Component (II) comprises certain phosphorus-containing acids; or metal salts of said phosphorus-containing acids, the metal being selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, chromium, manganese, iron, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, copper, silver, zinc, cadmium, aluminum, tin, lead, and mixtures of two or more thereof. These emulsifiers are useful in water-in-oil explosive emulsions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to coating a solid which has acid or base sites on its surface with a surfactant having acid or base characteristics capable of neutralizing the acidic or basic characteristics of the solid surface. Said coating applied in sufficient quantity to result in neutralization of the acid or base sites on the solid. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a water-in-oil or melt-in-fuel blended explosive composition including solid components wherein said solid components have a coating to neutralize the acid or base sites on the solid, and the emulsifier utilized in the emulsion has acid or base properties which are the same as the properties of the coating applied to the solid.

Abstract: A blasting agent is disclosed for use in a borehole having a pressure resistant closure. The blasting agent is used in combination with a primary initiating system comprised of a detonator and an initiator for the detonator. The blasting agent is preferably a semi-fluid explosive material having a predetermined sensitivity. The sensitivity is related to the borehole diameter and the initiating system's strength, wherein the blasting agent upon initiation is transformed into explosive products by means of reaction front which consumes substantially all the blasting agent as the reaction front passes through the blasting agent. The reaction front has an average velocity of propagation of beween 200 meters/second and 1,000 meters/second for at least 30% of the total length of blasting agent located in the borehole. Another aspect of the invention is a method of blasting wherein the average velocity of propagation of the explosive front in the blasting agent is in a range of between 200 m/sec and 1,000 m/sec.

Abstract: This invention relates to an explosive. It relates in particular to the manufacture of an emulsion explosive comprising a discontinuous phase which forms an oxidizing salt-containing component and a continuous phase which is immiscible with the discontinuous phase and which forms a fuel component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a detonable mixture of emulsion and AN or ANFO prills and to the resulting compositions. A surfactant is dissolved in a liquid organic fuel prior to adding the fuel to AN prills for forming ANFO prills, or if AN prills are used without added liquid organic fuel, the surfactant is added to the prills. The ANFO prills or AN prills containing a surfactant than are mixed with the emulsion.

Abstract: Propellant grain consisting essentially of:A. from about 50% to about 75% by weight of an oxidizer consisting essentially of ammonium nitrate;B. from about 1% to about 20% by weight of a cured polymeric binder;C. from 0% to about 30% by weight of a nitrate ester plasticizer;D. from about 3.5% to about 8% by weight of boron in free elemental form; andE. from 0% to about 3% by weight of aluminum metal.The grain has a pressure exponent not exceeding about 0.30 at a combustion pressure between about 2500 and about 7000 pounds per square inch (between about 1700 and about 4800 N/cm.sup.2). Also, an uncured pourable slurry having the formula stated above, except that the binder is uncured. Also, a method for forming a propellant grain having the formula stated above, comprising the steps of providing the uncured pourable slurry defined above, pouring the slurry into a casing, and curing the slurry in situ to form a cured propellant grain having a pressure exponent not exceeding about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cap-sensitive explosive compositions, in particular to emulsion explosives doped with solid particulate ammonium nitrate which retain stability and cap-sensitivity despite containing relatively high levels of dopant.

Abstract: A blasting agent is disclosed for use in a borehole having a pressure resistant closure. The blasting agent is used in combination with a primary initiating system comprised of a detonator and an initiator for the detonator. The blasting agent is preferably a semi-fluid explosive material having a predetermined sensitivity. The sensitivity is related to the borehole diameter and the initiating system's strength, wherein the blasting agent upon initiation is transformed into explosive products by means of reaction front which consumes substantially all the blasting agent as the reaction front passes through the blasting agent. The reaction front has an average velocity of propagation of between 200 meters/second and 1,000 meters/second for at least 30% of the total length of blasting agent located in the borehole. Another aspect of the invention is a method of blasting wherein the average velocity of propagation of the explosive front in the blasting agent is in a range of between 200 m/sec and 1,000 m/sec.

Abstract: A water-in-oil type emulsion explosive envelope comprises a water-in-oil type emulsion explosive and a paper wrapping the explosive. In this envelope, the paper is coated with a low-temperature melt resin and wrapped double so as to adhere joint faces to each other through heat.

Abstract: The stability of porous solid high explosives, for purposes of transport or storage, is enhanced by reducing the sensitivity to shock initiation of a reaction that leads to detonation. The pores of the explosive down to a certain size are filled under pressure with a stable, low melt temperature material in liquid form, and the combined material is cooled so the pore filling material solidifies. The stability can be increased to progressively higher levels by filling smaller pores. The pore filling material can be removed, at least partially, by reheating above its melt temperature and drained off so that the explosive is once more suitable for detonation.

Abstract: High nitrogen smoke compositions capable of rapid dispersion of smoke dyes nd capable of low temperature deflagration. Some compositions are capable of flameless deflagration in air. Compositions include pressed mixtures of 5,5'-bitetrazole and smoke dyes such as red, green, or yellow dyes. Other compositions include cast cured mixtures of azido binders such as glycidyl azide polymer and dyes, some of these compositions also including 5,5'-biterazole or an ammonium salt of 5-nitraminotetrazole.

Abstract: Emulsion explosive compositions comprising a discontinuous aqueous oxidizer salt phase and a continuous carbonaceous fuel phase and from about 5% to about 50% nitrostarch are disclosed which exhibit increased resistance to precompression or dead pressing while maintaining high detonation velocities.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising an explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. The fuel oil is selected to provide an oil separation sufficiently low so that the explosive is detonatable. The fuel oil is also selected such that the viscosity of the explosive is sufficiently low so that the explosive may be loadable into a borehole. The explosive is substantially free of tackifying agents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a blended explosive composition containing an emulsifier which is a derivative of polyisobutylene succinic anhydride and a prill having an internal additive of a naphthalene sulfonate surfactant and an external coating which makes the prill compatible with the emulsifier.

Abstract: A method and composition for enhancing the visual effect of a combustion explosion without substantially increasing the explosive force is the subject matter of this invention. A solid explosive compound is combined with a ground combustible particulate material that is characterized by a wide distribution of particle sizes. Preferably the surface area of the particles will vary by a factor of at least 500 percent and no more than 10 percent of the total number of particles will be represented by any one particle size.

Abstract: A stabilized high energy explosive, e.g. hexogen (RDX), octogen (HMX) or the like, as a component of NC or plastic-bound propellant charge powders (Lova-TLP) or plastic-bound explosives (PBX) has a particle size up to 5 .mu.m and a stabilizer incorporated into the explosive particles. In order to produce such an explosive, it is proposed that the explosive in the dissolved form and with the stabilizer in the liquid phase is mixed with a proportion of up to approximately 6% and the mixture is brought by flash drying into the solid phase with a particle size of up to 5 .mu.m.

Abstract: This invention provides an explosive composition comprising a blend of a melt-in-fuel emulsion and solid particulate oxygen-releasing salt. Said melt-in-fuel emulsion comprises a discontinuous oxygen-releasing salt phase, a continuous water-immiscible organic fuel phase and an emulsifier component. The oxygen-releasing salt is preferably selected such that the water content is minimized. The explosive composition may additionally comprise a discontinuous gaseous component. The compositions are stable against crystallization and segregation and are blowloadable without significant blowback. The compositions have an added advantage of a propensity to be loaded into upholes without the need for stemming or other plugging arrangements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved permissible explosive composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a permissible water-in-oil emulsion explosive that is shock-resistant and has a relatively low density. The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as the continuous phase and an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution as the discontinuous phase. These oxidizer and fuel phases react with one another upon initiation by a blasting cap or other initiator to produce an effective detonation.

Abstract: A multicomponent explosive composition and its use as a blasting agent in ditching operations and the like. The explosive comprises a fuel component and an oxidizer compnent, both of which are retained in the liquid state over wide temperature ranges and are stable over long storage intervals. The fuel component comprises a suspension of a particulate metal fuel, specifically aluminum, in a carrier liquid formed of a mixture of a water-miscible polyhydric alcohol and a pyrrolidone solvent. The carrier liquid contains a thickening agent to provide thixotropic rheological properties such that the particulate metal fuel remains in suspension at rest, but with shear forces induced by pumping, the components become more fluid for mixing and pumping easily. The oxidizer component comprises an aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidizer salt. The oxidizer solution contains void-containing materials such as glass or saran microbubbles. The void-containing materials may be suspended in the fuel component also.

Abstract: This invention relates to a water-in-oil type emulsion explosive comprising an aqueous oxidizer solution, an oily material, an emulsifier and hollow microspheres, in which the whole or a part of the oily material is replaced with a polymer which is oil-soluble and has a ladder structure in the molecule.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous phase comprising an oxygen-releasing salt, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase and an emulsifier component comprising a condensation product of a primary amine and a poly[alk(en)yl]succinic acid or anhydride and wherein the condensation product comprises at least 70% by weight succinimide product.

Abstract: A process for the production of a chemically gassed emulsion explosive wherein a chemical gassing agent is added to the emulsion as an essentially dry particulate powder. The process allows for the production of stable emulsion explosives which have more controllable emulsion explosive characteristics.

Abstract: Water-containing explosives, such as emulsions, slurries and water gels, are sensitized in their emulsion (concentrate) phases with sensitizing energy release agents based on nitroalkanes and nitroalkane blends including arene coupling agents. The sensitizing energy release agents are miscible with the concentrate phase and remain stable therein.

Abstract: A blasting composition of reduced volume strength relative to straight ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) compositions, containing particulate oxidizer salt, particulate inert and/or density reducing filler and optionally a fuel for modifying the oxygen balance. The composition contains a viscous water-in-oil type emulsion, having a continuous fuel phase and a discontinuous aqueous phase of oxidizing salts, in an amount sufficient for improving adherence between the particulate oxidizer salt and the particulate filler, but insufficient for filling out the interstices between the particulate oxidizer salt and the particulate filler.

Abstract: A chemically sensitized dry explosive is provided, which can be used as a blasting agent, per se, or can be used in the production of a wide variety of explosive compositions. The compositions are typically manufactured from an unstable emulsion explosive and have a chemical sensitizer in either the continuous or discontinuous phase. The compositions are characterized in that they comprise 5 to 30% water in the discontinuous phase after crystallization of the composition.

Abstract: A physically stable emulsion explosive composition consisting of a dispersed phase and a continuous phase, wherein the dispersed phase consists essentially of at least one oxidizing compound and at least one fuel compound, and wherein the continuous phase consists essentially of a polyacrylate resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a HANFO explosive consisting of a mixture of at least one nitrate-oil explosive (ANFO-type) and at least one water-in-oil explosive, and a method for its manufacture. The oil of the ANFO part contains 0.3-7.0 weight % based on the weight of the oil component of the oilsoluble elastomer having a viscosity average molecular weight of 30,000-5 million, preferably 900,000-2.5 million. The manufacture of the HANFO explosive can be carried out by first adding an oilsoluble elastomer to the oil of the ANFO-type explosive, then mixing the oil with sodium-, ammonium- and/or calcium nitrate and then mixing this mixture together with a water-in-oil emulsion explosive. The HANFO explosive can be applied both in bulk and cartridged form.

Abstract: A water in oil emulsion explosive composition containing inorganic nitrate and the process for its preparation are disclosed. The composition is an explosive mixture which consists of an aqueous inorganic oxidizer salt solution as disperse phase, residual oil and additives as continuous phase, emulsion foamer as occluded bubble producing material, and span-80 as emulsifier. By adjusting the pH of disperse phase and emulsion foamer, the foaming process at elevated temperature is achieved. it is an industrial explosive and has lower production cost, excellent stability, good moisture resistance and low toxicity, and has a storage life longer than 10 months.

Abstract: A method for producing an emulsion explosive comprises introducing a liquid organic fuel phase and an immiscible liquid oxidizer phase into apparatus having a mixer chamber, flow constrictor means for introducing the liquid oxidizer phase as an emergent turbulent jet into the chamber to cause its fragmentation into droplets in situ within the chamber, means for introducing the fuel phase into the chamber so that the fuel phase introduced thereby contacts and becomes distributed around the droplets of oxidizer phase as they form to produce emulsion and further providing shear mixing means within the mixing chamber to effect enhancement of the mixing of the chamber contents and thereby to continuously incorporate the fuel phase to produce a more refined emulsion suitable for use as the basis for an explosive system, particularly emulsions of high velocity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a water-in-oil emulsion and the emulsion explosives therefrom containing nitrostarch by nitrating starch with an excess of a nitrating agent, treating the reaction mixture thereof with anhydrous ammonia to form a solution of water, dissolved ammonium nitrate, and nitrostarch, and thereafter combining the aqueous solution with a carbonaceous fuel phase and emulsifier to form a water-in-oil emulsion. The explosive is provided, preferably, by the distribution of voids throughout the water-in-oil emulsion to render it detonable. The invention is also applicable to the production of melt-in-fuel explosive compositions and water-gel explosives.

Abstract: A permitted water-bearing explosive composition of the watergel or emulsion type contains a suitable amount, e.g. 0.5% by weight of the composition, of a non-passivated paint flake aluminum having a surface area of 5000 cm.sup.2 /g or greater and a suitable amount of one or more alkali or alkaline earth metal or ammonium halides, perferably potassium chloride.

Abstract: Primer composition comprising diazodinitrophenol or potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane, tetracene, nitrate ester fuel and strontium nitrate. It is prepared by hydrating anhydrous strontium nitrate by dissolving in warm water and thereafter cooling solution to obtain crystals of the tetrahydrate. These crystals are mixed with other components to form the primer composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved explosive composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion explosive that is sensitized by chemically formed gas bubbles. The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as the continuous phase, an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution as the discontinuous phase, an emulsifier, a chemical gassing agent and a surfactant for increasing the rate of gas generation from the gassing agent. The invention also relates to a method of forming such explosives. As used herein, the term "water-in-oil" will refer to a discontinuous phase of polar or water-miscible droplets emulsified throughout a nonpolar or water-immiscible continuous phase. Such emulsions may or may not actually contain water, and those not containing water sometimes are referred to as "melt-in-oil" emulsions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing an explosive composition which comprises adding an inert bulking agent to said explosive composition, so as to increase the weight and density thereof, and thereafter introducing gas into said composition, so as to decrease said density to at least 1.1 g/cc. The invention also provides an explosive composition which comprises an inert bulking agent which is added to the composition to increase the weight and density thereof, and further includes gas which is thereafter added to lower the density to a predetermined or desired level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dry mix explosive composition wherein a binding or holding agent is provided to hold the parts thereof together in a straightforward and efficient manner, in order to avoid segregation of the parts such as during mixing, placement and the like. The dry mix explosive composition includes oxidiser, fuel and bulking agent, and further includes a binder in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion which acts to hold the parts of said composition together during mixing, placement and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing the rate of consumption of a propellant s a result of having shrink tubes or spheres embedded in the propellant. The shrink tubes suitable for use in this method are derived from various polyurethane or polyolefin resins which undergo shrinkage when exposed to moderate heat. The mechanism of enhancement derives from the fact that when the flame front reaches the shrink tube or sphere, the tube or sphere undergoes shrinkage, and thus, exposes additional propellant surface to the burning process. High burning rate are achieved because of the apparent reduced overall propellant web created by the presence of and resultant action to these shrink tubes or spheres.A modification of the method of this invention is to embed these plastic tubings in the propellant, raise the temperature of the propellant mass to a temperature at which the tubing will undergo shrinkage.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the manufacture of a coarse emulsion blasting agent and a method for the conversion of same into a sensitive blasting explosive. The apparatus comprises a low shear mechanical mixer in which a coarse emulsion can be continuously prepared. The coarse emulsion is then passed though a fine emulsification motionless mixer for conversion into sensitive explosive.

Abstract: An explosive cartridge produced by packaging an explosive with a paper polyethylene-laminated on both the sides, the outer surface of the cartridge having an angle of slide of not more than 12 degrees and a paper polyethylene-laminated on both the sides, at least one of the outer surfaces of the paper polyethylene-laminated on both the sides having an angle of slide of not more than 12 degrees used in the explosive cartridge are disclosed.The explosive cartridge of the present invention can be easily loaded into a dry or watery borehole and give good blasting performance.