Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Water gel explosives

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6609950
Water gel explosives are produced by stabilizing a dispersion of nitroparaffin, preferably nitromethane, in an aqueous oxidizer salt solution through the simultaneous in situ gelation of the nitromethane dispersed phase and the continuous external aqueous phase. The formation of the double gel is achieved by mixing the liquid nitroparaffin in an aqueous oxidizer salt solution in the presence of a gelling agent for the aqueous phase and a gelling agent for the nitroparaffin phase. The entire mixture is then mixed whereby the nitroparaffin and salt phases are simultaneously gelled in situ. Once the desired predetermined viscosity is reached, the mixing is terminated and the gel is packaged. Examples of inorganic oxidizing salts which can be used are ammonium, alkali metal, and alkaline earth metal nitrates, perchlorates and chlorates. (39 claims)
Assignee:
Atlas Powder Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 4008110
OSTI ID:
6609950
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English