non military uses of high explosives

Question 1

nitroglycerine

Answer 1

glycerol (in presence of HNO3) –> nitro glycerol
volatile (important for detonation) and stabilised by diatomaceous earth

Question 2

ammonium nitrate

Answer 2

NH4NO3 and fuel oil (C10-12 alkanes) –> ANFO
high explosive but tertiary

Question 3

plastic explosives

Answer 3

explosive + plasticiser = mouldable
PBX –> polymer bonded = less sensitive than cast explosive

• polymer binder acts as a cushion and protects blast over pressure