Industrial explosives

A. Dynamites –first explosive invented by Alfred Nobel. It contains up to 75% Nitroglycerin

absorbed and desensitized by 25% diatomaceous earth(kieselguhr/Oxidizer can be relapsed to
increase the energy yield.
B. Ammonium – (AN-nitro mixture and AN-fuel oil or ANFO)
C. Water explosives – slurries and water gel, explosive emulsions

Slurries and water gels – made of aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate and sodium or calcium
nitrate, gelled by guar gum or cross linking agents.

Explosives Emulsions – sensitized by air bubbles, introduced by means of hollow glass or plastic
bubbles. The storage time is limited because of the bubbles.
D. Home-made or improvised explosives – these are improvised explosives usually assembled at
home. These are easy to assembly.
E. Explosives with limited use – include those which were used in the past and became obsolete.

Some common commercial explosives

1. Blasting caps – one of the most commonly found explosives used to setoff main charge.
These are small tin cylinder with silver and copper color with 0.25 to 0.5 inch diameter and
2 to 6 inches in length. It contains powerful and sensitive explosives. Even the heat of a
person hand can set off a blasting cap.
2. Safety fuse – a time- delay devise much like a firecracker fuse.it has a black powder core
and waterproof jacket of solid striped color.
3. Detonating cord- usually, this has a white exterior containing PETN. This is used to set off
multiple charges simultaneously.
4. Blasting agents- a combination of fuel and oxidants such a fuel oil and ammonium nitrate.
The color ranges from brown to bright pink due to the fuel added. This requires booster
since the components are not confined and cannot be set off by blasting cap. This kind of
explosive was used in New York World Trade Center and Oklahoma City bombing.
5. Boosters – cylinder shaped with holes in which blasting cap is inserted. This is used to
increase the power of the initiating charges.
6. Dynamites – cartridge or sticks typically 1 to 3 inches in diameter and 8 to 24 inches in
length.
7. Slurries or gels – liquid and semi liquid form of commercial explosive.
8. Black or smokeless powder – common over the counter explosive used in reloading gun
ammunitions.