Rock splitting with pyrotechnic compositions and secondary propellants

Abstract

In some cases of resources extraction, as well as in construction at industrial and urbanized territories, commercial explosives are not safe enough for the surroundings with regard to the generated fly-rocks, air-blast, toxic fumes, seismic waves and vibrations. The main reasons for these harmful impacts of explosion are the velocity and the mechanism of the chemical reaction of explosive decomposition. The authors shifted the focus of their researches from detonating explosives to high-speed combusting energetic materials. The production of low explosive non-detonating mixtures from long-term stored smokeless gunpowders and ammonium nitrate prills in different configurations, and popular pyrolant compositions were studied. The samples of different cartridge casings, filled with non-detonating propellant mixtures or pyrotechnic compositions were examined by two methods - for velocity of propagation and by field tests. It was made investigations for application of waste single-base-powders and double-base-powders for obtaining non-detonating explosive cartridges, suitable in dimension stone mining, as well as in blasting activities at tender and complicated conditions.