Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Colin A Mumme-Young

John Cooper

David S Reid

Robert D Gregson

This invention provides a solid explosive composition comprising a low-water content melt-in-fuel emulsion when prepared at elevated temperature which solidifies on cooling. The emulsion comprises a continuous phase containing water immiscible fuel and emulsifier and a discontinuous phase containing oxidizer salt. A particulate material effective as a nucleating agent is incorporated in the composition to reduce supercooling of the discontinuous phase and to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer salt. The particulate nucleating agent is preferably colloidal solid particles for example silica or an insoluble salt of aluminium, calcium or barium, which salt may optionally be formed in situ by a double decomposition reaction. The presence of the nucleating agent to accelerate crystallization of the oxidizer enhances the proportion of discrete droplets which remain totally encapsulated in the solidified composition and enables solid products to be obtained from relatively low melting oxidizer salts melts.

Solid explosive composition

An emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous phase containing an oxygen-supplying phase wherein the discontinuous phase additionally comprises a crystal growth-inhibitor. The compositions exhibit improved storage characteristics.

Emulsion explosive composition

An emulsion explosive composition comprising an oxygen-supplying salt component as a discontinuous phase, an organic medium forming a continuous phase and a stabilizer which comprises a polycyclic hydrocarbon. Suitable stabilizers include sterols, such as cholesterol. The compositions, which may also include a conventional emulsifier, exhibit small diameter cap-sensitivity and improved storage characteristics.

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Chester, United Kingdom

Colin A Mumme-Young