GB1144079A - Explosive compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

1,144,079. Explosive compositions. CANADIAN INDUSTRIES Ltd. 28 Nov., 1967 [6 Dec., 1966], No. 64120/67. Heading C1D. An explosive composition comprises an inorganic oxygen-supplying salt, a flavonoid (a hydroxy flavone or polycondensate thereof), a mutual solvent for the inorganic salt and the flavonoid, and a thickener soluble in the mutual solvent. The oxygen balance of the composition is from + 15 to -35 grams of oxygen per 100 grams of explosive. The flavonoid specified is the sodium salt of polyphenols extracted from wood or bark. The inorganic salt is preferably ammonium nitrate which may be mixed with Na, K, Ba, or Ca nitrate. The preferred solvent is water, part or all of which may be replaced by formamide, dimethyl sulphoxide, ethylene glycol, or a lower alcohol. Finely divided Al or Al alloy, Si, ferrosilicon, ferrophosphorus, carbonaceous material, or carbon may be added. Also included may be a self-explosive e.g. TNT, PETN, RDX, composition B, pentolite, smokeless powder, nitrocellulose, or nitrostarch. Guar gum, carob seed gum, tamarind flour, starch, and hydroxyethyl cellulose are suitable thickeners. Sodium or potassium dichromate or zinc or barium chromate may be present as a cross-linking agent. In examples, other constituents used are urea, sulphur, sodium lignosulphonate, and 2-ethyl hexanol. The flavonoid increases the sensitivity of the explosive and also prevents dispersion of air bubbles entrained in the mixture.