The effect of surfactant on the rheology and stability properties of emulsion explosive matrices

Abstract

This work demonstrated the effect of surfactant on the rheology and stability properties of emulsion explosive matrices (EEM), combined with rheology test, interfacial tension measurement, and the crystallization test of emulsions. It was shown that the interfacial tension of EEM were dependent on the different types of surfactants. The low-molecular weight surfactant show a great ability of reducing the interfacial tension of emulsion, comparing with the polymeric surfactants. However, the emulsions exhibited the greater rheological and stability properties when the polymeric surfactants were used. It was also demonstrated that the rheological and stability properties of emulsions varied when the combinations of polymeric and low-molecular-weight surfactants were used. The interfacial tension of EEM decreased first and then increased with the increase of composite ratio. The viscosity, yield stress, and storage modulus of emulsion increase with the decrease of interfacial tension. In addition, there exists an optimal composite ratio to maximize stability of EEM.