Enhancement of the burning performance of ammonium nitrate via cocrystallization

Aluminum nanopowders, because of their larger surface area, can increase the burning rate of propellants. It has been suggested that the powders could also enhance the detonation properties of certain explosives. For these reasons, an experimental study was undertaken to compare the performance of nanometric and micrometric aluminum in various explosives. No enhancement of performance was found in plastic-bonded explosives. In fact, a reduction of the detonation velocity was found in plastic-bonded explosives that are based on an energetic binder system. No increase of the detonation velocity was found in mixtures of aluminum and either Composition B or Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil, but a small increase in the heat of detonation was measured. The mixture of TNT and nano-aluminum demonstrated higher detonation velocities and heats of detonation. The increase was higher at small charge diameters. Nanometric aluminum was shown to reduce the critical diameter of such mixtures, and it is concluded that the nano-aluminum reacts faster than regular micron-size particles in TNT/Al compositions.

Effects of urea on the thermal decomposition behavior of ammonium nitrate: A reliable thermal safety performance enhancer

Enhanced SO2 tolerance of V2O5-Sb2O3/TiO2 catalyst for NO reduction with co-use of ammonia and liquid ammonium nitrate