Factors in selecting and applying commercial explosives and blasting agents

In this report, commercial blasting compounds are classified according to their nitroglycerin (or equivalent explosive oil) and ammonium nitrate content as dynamites, gelatins, blasting agents, military explosives, and blasting accessories. The ingredients and more significant properties of each explosive are tabulated and briefly discussed. Properties discussed are weight strength, cartridge strength, detonation velocity, density, detonation pressure, water resistance, and fume class. The weakness of the strength rating system and the importance of detonation pressure, density, and detonation velocity in rating explosives are discussed. The terms blasting agent and slurry, which are often misused, are defined. Trends indicate that blasting agents (that is, blasting mixtures with none of the ingredients singly classified as an explosive), particularly high-density slurry blasting agents, will dominate the explosives field in the future. (22 refs.)